Celtics' Cinderella Season Suddenly On The Brink After Devastating Game 6 Loss Vs. 76ers originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Earlier this week, the Boston Celtics were in complete control of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Coming off a 128-96 road victory over the Sixers in Game 4, the Celtics held a commanding 3-1 series lead with two of the final three games in Boston.
Well, the Celtics blew Game 5 at home, choking away a double-digit lead in the second half on Tuesday. Then they lost Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday, setting up a Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
However, the Celtics may be without Jayson Tatum, who exited Game 6 in the third quarter with an apparent injury. He was having a great game and a terrific series, too, making his potential absence even more devastating.
Unfortunately, Celtics fans have seen this movie before. Tatum suffered an ankle injury in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, and Boston lost without him. The Celtics lost him to an Achilles tear in the second round last year, and ended up losing that series, too.
Now, Boston is facing the prospect of another must-win game without one of its best players.
The Celtics played well without Tatum in the regular season this year, but their track record without him in the playoffs speaks for itself.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is on fire and has all the momentum after back-to-back wins. Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George look unstoppable.
Boston's offense has fallen apart over the last five quarters, even when Tatum was on the court. Without him, his teammates appear doomed.
The Celtics have never lost a playoff series after taking a 3-1 lead, while the Sixers have never overcome that deficit before. If Tatum sits on Saturday, however, there's a good chance both of those streaks will end.
More NBA: Celtics Superstar Jayson Tatum Leaves Game 6 Vs. 76ers With Apparent Injury
