Boston Celtics fans experienced a major shock early in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday after Jayson Tatum appeared to injure his ankle right in the first play against the Miami Heat.
As Tatum attacked the basket, he accidentally tweaked his left in an awkward landing. After he took his shot, he stepped on the fallen Gabe Vincent, whom he bumped on his his way to the rim. The injury looked really serious, and it certainly didn't ease the concerns of fans when the Celtics forward sat on the floor in pain while nursing his foot.
Celtics fans quickly took to Twitter to express their shock, fear and disappointment following the accident. After all, the last thing they want in a must-win Game 7 is for their most-important player to fall to an injury.
“Tatum twisted his ankle?????? WTF ON THE FIRST PLAY??????” a fan exclaimed.
“First play Jayson Tatum twisted ankle I’m gonna lose my mind,” another Boston faithful said. A third supporter added, “Tatum can have my ankle.”
Here are more reactions to Tatum's injury scare, with “Damn Tatum” trending as a result of the incident.
https://twitter.com/Marchy4Byng/status/1663343310486790150
Fortunately, Jayson Tatum was able to stay in the game. However, many couldn't help but notice that the superstar forward is still in pain and appears to be uncomfortable.
Hopefully, Tatum's injury isn't serious and that it eventually won't bother him in the contest. If it proves to slow him down, then Boston could very well be in trouble in their bid to make NBA history against the Jimmy Butler-led Heat.