It's unusual for Jayson Tatum to miss a game. It's known that he usually resists when the team suggests he takes a break. But he had to agree on Monday night.
Tatum missed only his fourth game of the season on Monday against the Pistons, following his 30-point performance in 26 minutes in the Celtics' win over the Wizards the previous night. He was officially out due to a right ankle issue, but the team is likely just being cautious with their star player, especially since Boston has a significant lead in the standings with less than a month left in the regular season.
The Celtics regularly discuss Tatum's workload and while they understand his preference to play, they also want to ensure he's in top form when it really matters.
C's coach Joe Mazzulla said, “We make decisions based on what's best for the players and the team at that time. We understand that it's a long season. We want to be mentally, physically, and emotionally at our best when it counts. So every decision is made with that in mind.
“It’s everyone. Jayson, Jaylen (Brown), everybody. Jrue (Holiday), all those guys. That’s the pride they take in competing at a high level. I think that’s one of the underlying reasons for our success in the regular season. The guys are ready to compete at a high level. But again, whatever’s best for them, whatever’s best for our team to make sure we’re playing the way we need to be playing at the right time. I think that’s kind of the way we look at it. I’m grateful to have guys that have that mindset.”
Tatum expressed after Sunday's win in Washington that he wants to play as much as possible, especially at away games where fans only get to see him once or twice a season.
“I’ve been here seven years, they understand kind of what they’re dealing with,” Tatum said of his intention to play every night. “I don’t like to sit out. I understand if I was injured or whatever, but I’ve said it before, I just love to play the game, especially on the road. So many fans out there with Tatum 0 jerseys or came to see me play. So I kind of take pride in making sure I’m available as much as I can.”
Porzingis returns
Kristaps Porzingis returned on Monday after missing five games due to a right hamstring strain. Brown, who missed Sunday’s game with a right ankle sprain, was cleared to return. Derrick White, who was also out due to a left hand sprain, was back in the lineup. Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet joined those three in the starting lineup.
Al Horford, who usually takes a break during a back-to-back, missed Monday’s game. Sam Hauser, who suffered a left ankle sprain during his impressive shooting performance in Sunday’s win, was out. Mazzulla didn’t have a timeline for the forward’s return, but the Globe reported that his X-rays came back negative and he’s not expected to miss significant time. Hauser sat on the bench during Monday’s game.
Mazzulla remained confident in the rest of his team despite Hauser's absence, as Hauser has been one of the Celtics’ most dependable bench players this season.
“I believe that's the essence of this team, regardless of who has played or not, players have effectively carried out their assigned tasks,” Mazzulla said. “So, that's the most crucial aspect. It involves everyone and it's the responsibility of each player, so regardless of who's present or absent, adhere to the system on both offense and defense and strive at a high level and I think the guys have excelled at that.”
Tip-ins
For the Celtics game on NBC Sports Boston on Monday, the Celtics and Connecticut Sun collaborated on an all-female broadcast in honor of women’s empowerment month. This included NBC Sports’ Zora Stephenson as the play-by-play announcer, NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin and Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington as game analysts, and ESPN’s Kayla Burton as the sideline reporter. NBC Sports Boston’s Amina Smith hosted the Celtics’ studio shows with Connecticut Sun team president Jennifer Rizzotti, and Boston Celtics scout and Maine Celtics assistant general manager Ashley Battle. …
Cade Cunningham (left knee) and Simone Fontecchio (left toe) were both absent from Monday’s Pistons game. … Former Celtics guard Rajon Rondo was present at Monday’s game, sitting courtside.
