Jayson Tatum Expected in Celtics-76ers Game 7

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is expected to play in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday at TD Garden, following a left leg stiffness issue that limited him in the Celtics' 106-93 loss in Game 6 on Thursday night.

The injury scare occurred in the third quarter of Game 6 at Philadelphia's arena, when Tatum briefly exited to the locker room before returning to the bench. He did not reenter the game, which the 76ers closed out after building a 22-point lead. Tatum played 29 minutes, finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. "My leg was just a little stiff when I came out in the third quarter," Tatum said afterward. "Just kind of assessing the moment, the game was a little out of reach. We took the starters out." He emphasized it was his left leg, not the right one he injured with a ruptured Achilles tendon last May.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed Tatum's availability on Friday. "He said he was playing, right? He'll play," Mazzulla said. ESPN reporter Shams Charania added that sources in Boston described the issue as minor stiffness, not an injury, and that Tatum assured teammates he was fine.

The series, now tied 3-3, saw Boston squander a 3-1...