Boston Celtics
Tatum missed Thursday’s game against the Thunder, his first absence since making his debut this season on March 6.
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are managing his right Achilles tendon by limiting minutes and resting him on Thursday. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Celtics star Jayson Tatum was ruled out of Boston’s injury report on Friday ahead of the team’s matchup on Saturday with the lowly Washington Wizards.
Tatum, who participated for the first time in the upcoming season last Friday after recovering from a rupture in his right Achilles tendon that he suffered 10 months ago, had… He sat down From the tilt Thursday with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Celtics described his absence as “injury management” after he played and started three straight games.
The 28-year-old said he is playing limited minutes as he returns to competition. Tatum played 27 minutes in each of his three starts.
Head coach Joe Mazzola said Thursday that the team’s management plan for Tatum has the player’s best interest in mind. Vacation days seem to be part of that predetermined plan.
“Just trust our sports science team and the coaches,” Mazzola said.Via Brian Robb of MassLive). “The goal was always for him to come back and also keep himself healthy while continuing to stay healthy and continue to get better. Just trust and communication from our team.”
Tatum has not played since Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs, when he scored a season-high 24 points. He also recorded two steals in Boston’s nine-point loss.
In Tatum’s time on the court so far, it’s clear he’s not 100 percent confident pushing with his right leg, something that should improve over time, especially with rest, like Thursday.
As for the rest of Boston’s injury report, Baylor Sherman (sprained right ankle) and Derrick White (bruised right knee) are likely to play. Sherman suffered the injury against the Thunder while filling in for Tatum.
White did not play alongside Tatum on Thursday. White suffered from illness on Tuesday against Tottenham and received the attention of the coaching staff on the field in the second half.
Nikola Vucevic (fractured right ring finger) is still out. He broke his finger during Tatum’s comeback last week and had surgery the next day.
The Celtics will host the Wizards at TD Garden on Saturday with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
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