Celtics 
Jayson Tatum was injured in the third quarter of Monday’s game Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
March 25, 2025 | 11:21 AM
Kings center Domantas Sabonis apologized for a play that caused Jayson Tatum to leave the Celtics’ win over Sacramento with an ankle injury on Monday night.
“I feel horrible,” Sabonis said. “I’ve had a crazy month myself personally, and you never want that to happen so I apologize.”
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Tatum’s injury seems minor. He declined interview requests after the game, but sat at his locker for nearly an hour interacting with teammates before eventually leaving the arena with just a slight limp.
“He seems to be doing ok,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters after the game. “He’s just icing it right now. I didn’t see the play but they made the right call, flagrant foul. We were fortunate he was able to shoot the free throw. He’s taking care of it right now.”
About halfway through the third quarter, Tatum elevated for a stepback 3-pointer. Sabonis jumped towards Tatum to contest the shot, and Tatum landed on his foot. The Celtics forward fell to the floor, grabbed his ankle in pain, and was eventually helped to the bench. He missed the remainder of the game.
Sabonis dealt with an ankle injury of his own recently. He missed three games before returning on Monday night.
Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 25 points despite being unable to finish the game. He shot 8-15 from the field, including 5-9 from 3-point range. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out eight assists.
Jayson Tatum was helped to the locker room after landing on Domantas Sabonis’ foot. Sabonis also received a flagrant 1.
Hope JT is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/y1n2HlyiwT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 25, 2025
“Up until the point he got hurt, he was cooking,” center Kristaps Porzingis said. “He was the one carrying us. But then we were able to finish out the job.”
Seeing Tatum on the floor in pain was rough, Porzingis said, but he appears to be OK.
“It was tough. Of course [you have] empathy right away,” Porzingis said. “But I’m glad it’s nothing too bad hopefully as far as I know … that’s kind of good news. It was just a tough situation, tough to see him like that. You could tell he was in a lot of pain, but I’m glad he’s OK.”
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