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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum when they play the Oklahoma City Thunder (in Oklahoma).
Tatum has been ruled out for the first time since he made his season debut earlier his month.
In his first three games of the 2025-26 season, the former Duke star is averaging 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 39.3% from the field and 29.0% from three-point range.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Despite missing Thursday’s game, the Celtics will have Tatum back in the lineup when they host the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Jay King of The Athletic wrote: “Joe Mazzulla said Jayson Tatum will play Saturday. He’s out tonight.”
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks hug after the Celtics defeat the Mavericks 120-100 at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Considering Tatum just came back after being out for nearly a year, it makes sense why the Celtics would play it safe.
He is coming off another fantastic year with averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range in 72 games.