Celtics news: Jayson Tatum in walking boot after leaving Lakers game

Boston Celtics rookie guard Jayson Tatum seen in walking boot after suffering ankle injury in 107-96 victory over Los Angeles Lakers.

The Boston Celtics managed to further cement their place atop the NBA standings with a 107-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. After playing it close for most of the game, the Celtics managed to put away the Lakers in the final minutes.

Unfortunately, it may have come at a bit of a cost after Jayson Tatum was unable to finish the game after suffering an ankle injury in the first half. While the injury itself did not seem too serious, the rookie guard was seen in a walking boot afterward, according to Jay King of MassLive.com:

Jayson Tatum's in a walking boot tonight. Didn't know when he hurt the ankle. Will get reexamined tomorrow.

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) November 9, 2017

Should Tatum miss any time, it would deal quite a blow to the Celtics backcourt that has played well thus far in the 2017-18 NBA season. The third overall pick has become an instant favorite of head coach Brad Stevens and for good reason.

Tatum was arguably the most gifted all-around player in this year's NBA Draft. The third overall pick has followed up on that notion by getting his career off to a solid start, averaging 14.3 points on 50 percent shooting. It is for that reason he was immediately placed in the starting lineup to begin with.

Now his injury likely clears the way for more minutes for guard Jaylen Brown and forward Semi Ojeleye. Fortunately, the Celtics' depth and heavy reliance on superstar Kyrie Irving should be able to mask Tatum's absence for now.