Why Jayson Tatum's Shoulder Issue May Not Just Be a "Flare Up" of Previous Stinger

Celtics' star forward Jayson Tatum suffered what head coach Ime Udoka called a “flare up” of his right shoulder injury in the opening moments of Wednesday's game.

Tatum grabbed at the back of his right shoulder after a pass in the first quarter, but eventually stayed in the contest for his normal rotation.

The fact that Tatum's shoulder is continuing to hamper him four days after he suffered the stinger is a concerning development, according to our panel of Pro Basketball Docs.

It likely means that he will continue to nurse the issue for an extended period of time.

The 24-year-old went down in pain in the fourth quarter of Game 3 last Saturday, but was able to return after a short stint on the bench. 

Stingers generally go away after the initial pain and shouldn't flare up.

Here's him grabbing at his shoulder after getting called for a charge near the end of the first half.

Given the area of the pain and repeated recurrences, the Pro Basketball Docs are worried this might be a cervical disk pinching on a nerve for Tatum.

Once a stinger reoccurs, symptoms can linger.

Tatum has been largely inconsistent in the latter half of the playoffs but bounced back in Game 4, scoring 31 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks on 16 shots in Boston's blowout win.

The Celtics' star ended the half with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists on 1-9 shooting and 1-5 from 3-point range.

UPDATE: Tatum finished tonight's contest with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists on 7-20 shooting, 3-8 from three, and 6-8 from the line. Sign up here for the latest on Tatum's health status for the rest of the playoffs.