Joe Mazzulla Explains Unexpected Jayson Tatum Scratch In Magic Loss

Joe Mazzulla Explains Jayson Tatum's Surprise Scratch in Magic Loss

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made a surprising decision on Saturday night, scratching star forward Jayson Tatum from the lineup just minutes before the team's game against the Orlando Magic. Tatum, who had not missed a game all season, was reportedly dealing with a non-COVID illness and was not cleared to play.

Mazzulla explained the decision after the game, saying that Tatum had been feeling under the weather and that the team did not want to risk aggravating his condition. "He's been sick the last couple of days," Mazzulla said. "We just didn't want to put him in a position where he could get worse."

The Celtics went on to lose the game to the Magic, 113-98, but Mazzulla said that he was not second-guessing his decision to sit Tatum. "I think we made the right decision," he said. "We're not going to put a player out there who's not healthy."

Tatum's Absence Impacts Celtics

Tatum's absence was a major blow to the Celtics, who have relied heavily on the 24-year-old this season. Tatum is averaging 30.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, and he is one of the leading candidates for the NBA MVP award.

Without Tatum, the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm on offense. The team shot just 41.7% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, but he was the only player on the team to score more than 15 points.

Mazzulla's Decision Raises Questions

Mazzulla's decision to sit Tatum has raised some questions about the Celtics' handling of their star player. Some critics have argued that the team should have been more cautious with Tatum's health, especially given his recent injury history. Tatum missed 11 games earlier this season with a sprained ankle.

Others have suggested that Mazzulla was being overly cautious by sitting Tatum for a non-COVID illness. They argue that Tatum is a tough player who is used to playing through pain and that he should have been given the chance to play through this illness as well.

Mazzulla Defends Decision

Mazzulla has defended his decision to sit Tatum, saying that he is always putting the player's health first. "I'm not going to put a player out there who's not healthy," he said. "We're not going to risk his long-term health for a game."

Mazzulla also pointed out that Tatum is still young and that he has many years ahead of him. "We're not going to rush him back," he said. "We're going to make sure he's healthy and ready to go before we put him back out there."

Conclusion

The decision to sit Jayson Tatum for a non-COVID illness was a tough one for Joe Mazzulla, but it was ultimately the right one. Tatum's health is more important than any one game, and the Celtics need him to be healthy and ready to go for the long haul.

Mazzulla's decision sends a clear message that the Celtics are not going to take any unnecessary risks with their star player. They are going to be cautious with his health and make sure that he is fully recovered before he returns to the lineup.

This decision may have cost the Celtics a game in the short term, but it will likely benefit the team in the long run. By keeping Tatum healthy, the Celtics are giving themselves the best chance to win a championship this season.