Joe Mazzulla Explains Reasoning Behind Jayson Tatum Being Ruled Out for Game 7

News ArticlePublishedMay 02, 2026 at 07:08 PM EDTBy Cole SullivanIn one of the more shocking developments of the postseason, the Boston Celtics announced just hours before Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers that star forward Jayson Tatum would be ruled out due to knee stiffness.Tatum had exited Game 6 in the third quarter after showing visible discomfort in his leg and calf area. He briefly returned to the bench in the fourth quarter and was considered available to return, but ultimately did not re-enter as Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla opted to sit the starters for most of the final period with the game already out of reach.Following that performance, both Mazzulla and Tatum downplayed any concern about a potential injury, and all indications initially suggested he would be available for Game 7.However, shortly after Tatum was officially ruled out, Mazzulla addressed the media and explained that the forward arrived at the arena with stiffness in the back of his knee. After consulting with the medical staff, the decision was made to hold him out as a precaution, especially given his recent injury history.“Today he came in and he had stiffness in [his knee], and we kind of made a