The Boston Celtics ruled out All-Star forward Jayson Tatum for their Game 7 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday night. Tatum’s official designation is left knee stiffness.
Fans might have thought the 76ers had an edge to complete a 3-1 comeback, but Philadelphia won’t be at full strength, either. They just got All-Star center Joel Embiid back from his appendectomy, and now they have to worry about All-Star forward Paul George.
“He woke up this morning not feeling well,” 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said of George in his pregame press conference. “I mean, we’re expecting him to give it a shot here. He didn’t go through shootaround or anything, but we’re expecting him to give it a shot.”
That’s not the most encouraging endorsement. George is officially listed as probable with an illness.
George served a 25-game suspension earlier this season for violating the NBA and NBPA’s Anti-Drug Program policy. He returned in late March, and his presence automatically made a difference for Philly. He’s made the Celtics, specifically Jaylen Brown, feel his defensive presence throughout this series.
Boston was the second seed in the Eastern Conference before Tatum returned from his torn Achilles in early March. The Celtics are plenty good enough to beat the 76ers without Tatum. It will take everything the 76ers have to upset the Celtics and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The good news is that the stage is set for a generational performance from Embiid.
“I’ve been playing these guys for so long,” Embiid said of the Celtics after the 76ers forced a Game 7 on Thursday. “I’m tired of losing to them, so we have a chance to accomplish something special.”
The Celtics have eliminated the 76ers three times in the playoffs during Embiid’s career.
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