(UPDATE: The Celtics downgraded Tatum to Questionable on Saturday, with knee stiffness)

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum left Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers early because of left calf discomfort, but early indications suggest he is trending toward playing in Game 7 on Saturday.

Tatum exited before the fourth quarter as the Celtics played the final period without him. He later returned to the Boston bench with an ice pack on his left calf.

The 76ers won Game 6 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 at TD Garden in Boston.

Pro Football Doc Medical Analysis

Pro Football Doc noted that the calf issue is on the opposite side of Tatum’s previous right Achilles tear, which could point to compensation.

The hope is that Tatum was held out of the rest of Game 6 for precautionary reasons and because the game was out of reach, rather than because of a more serious injury.

Based on current reports, Tatum is tracking toward playing in Game 7.

Jayson Tatum Calf Injury

Tatum said after the game that his leg tightened up coming out of halftime, but the Celtics’ decision to keep him out appeared to be influenced by the score and game situation.

“You guys probably saw when I went to the back, saw me on the [stationary] bike, my leg just was a little stiff when I came out [in the] third quarter,” Tatum said. “But just kind of assessing the moment, the game was a little out of reach, we took the starters out and let the bench guys go in.”

Tatum is dealing with discomfort in his left calf. Last season, he tore his right Achilles in May before making a quick recovery and returning to action in March, just 10 months after the injury.

Celtics Game 7 Outlook

The Celtics once held a 3-1 series lead over the 76ers, but Philadelphia has now forced Game 7.

Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at TD Garden in Boston, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Bottom Line

Tatum appears on track to play Game 7, but the left calf issue is worth monitoring because it comes less than a year after his right Achilles tear and could be related to compensation. If the stiffness resolves and he moves well in warmups, this looks more precautionary than serious. Any lingering tightness would raise the risk of aggravation in a win-or-go-home game.

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