The Celtics and Nets each had a player leave Tuesday’s game early due to an injury, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN details.
The Celtics’ loss was more significant, as star forward Jayson Tatum exited in the third quarter after being inadvertently poked in the eye by Nets forward Kevin Durant. Tatum, who headed to the locker room following the injury, eventually returned to the bench, but he was unable to play any more and his status going forward is uncertain.
“He went back out on the court (and) tried to readjust to the light out there, and he was really struggling,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said, per Bontemps. “He got scratched pretty good. It looks pretty red, it looks pretty swollen to me. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know what the exact diagnosis is. But he’s uncomfortable right now.”
Meanwhile, Nets forward Jeff Green left in the second quarter due to a bruised left foot. The veteran has been a reliable role player for Brooklyn this season, averaging 27 minutes per game in 68 regular season contests and matching that minute total in Game 1. However, the Nets – already up 2-0 in the series – are far better positioned to handle any missed time for Green than the Celtics are for Tatum.
Here are a few more items from around the Atlantic:
- After Ben Simmons scored just six points on 3-of-9 shooting in Game 1, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t understand criticism of the standout guard, who contributed 15 assists and 15 rebounds in the team’s victory. “Only in Philadelphia,” Rivers said, per Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press. “If you guys don’t know the treasure you have by now, then shame on everyone because he’s been fantastic for us. … I’m amazed that people don’t see what he does. We’re so caught up in the amount of points he scored. … Does it matter if Ben had all 125? Would we be mad that Joel (Embiid) didn’t score? Who cares who scores as long as we’re scoring. … When Ben plays, we score more points.”
- It took a while for George Hill to get healthy and make his Sixers debut after he was acquired at the trade deadline, but the veteran guard will be relied upon more heavily now that the postseason is underway, writes Tom Moore of The Bucks County Courier Times.
- The Raptors‘ own first-round pick is in the lottery for the first time since 2012, prompting Blake Murphy of The Athletic to explore whether the team should consider trading its first-rounder. Murphy also looks at trade possibilities for Toronto’s two second-round selections.
Simmons’ stats are smoke & mirrors…
He SHOULD have a 15 assist game because all he does is pass. If any pg decides they’re gonna just pass and not take any open shots – and run away from potential shot opportunities – they would approach 15 assists too (playing with professional teammates).
He’s an uber-athletic 6’10 guy… he SHOULD have a 15 rebound game. More than one, actually. It’d be different if he was 6’3, 6’4, or 6’5… then I’d give him a little more credit for having 15 rebounds (Westbrook).
But, again, while 15 assists and 15 rebounds is a nice stat line, he’s 6’10 and does nothing but pass.
Normally, one is applauded as unselfish if they pass up an open 22ft shot to pass to a teammate for a “better” 14ft shot. Simmons passes up a wide-open 14 footer to pass to a teammate for a 22 footer.
Great talent tho. If he ever starts hunting jumpshots in the 14-19 foot area and makes a couple per half, he could be one of the top 10 players in the game.
He should have them, and he did. And the Sixers won. I don’t see what the problem is.
Can you imagine Ben Simmons on the Warriors? That’s a championship team. Move Curry and Thompson off the ball and that Simmons and Draymond defense, wow !!!
If the Sixers don’t make it to the Eastern Conference Finals maybe there’s Rumblings of dumping Simmons? The Warriors should be all over it.. and even over pay. I would give up:
-James Wiseman,
-Minnesota’s top-10 pick,
-Warriors number 14 pick,
-1 young guy (hopefully Eric Paschall and not Jordan Poole,) and of course
-Andrew Wiggins for salary.
Is 5 for 1 enough for the Sixers to think about it? I say absolutely yes.
No, it’s not. That’s a laughable package for Simmons. No trade proposal like a front runner’s trade proposal.
Philliesfan215 you might want to think about FrontRunner trade proposals when you bow out to the Bucks or the Nets before the Eastern Conference Finals. How long have embiid and Simmons been together? Haven’t gone anywhere whether it’s been for lack of roster help or injury or whatever. Sometimes even just 6 rim bounces of a basketball in the last 2 seconds of a game.
Bottom line is they’ve gone nowhere together and if it happens again this year maybe they think about breaking it up?
You’re not going to trade embiid he is generational. Maybe trade Simmons 5-1? It will be an interesting summer that’s for sure.
I would absolutely not like to rethink that. That is a horrible trade package. We have absolutely ZERO use for Wiseman.
Philliesfan215 might need a third team in there I guess. But I hear what you’re saying. After watching Wiggins this year he absolutely has to be gone. He’ll Amaze you in some plays with an incredible acrobatic basket but then he’ll miss three 16-foot Jumpers in a row with that flat jumper. Or a turnover or missing open guy or let his man just dribble by him.
Wiggins has got to go I don’t care how much he’s improved. Insider secret right there. Publicly they’ll say what I’ve said. “He’s improved !!” But he’s got to go. He is not a closer on a championship Contender. He’s 20 points a game for a lower half the league team.
What on earth would the Sixers do with wiseman and paschal? Sixers trade all NBA player for backup center and backup PF and a few picks? I’m not sayin wiseman isn’t a talent, but there is this guy named Joel Embiid that is gonna play 30+ minutes a night at the center spot. On top of that, they probably have to turn around and package wiseman with Wiggins to shed his salary. I highly doubt the Sixers would be willing to pay that much of a tax for a player of his caliber. There is a zero percent chance this trade happens unless there is a third team to take wiseman and Wiggins with the Sixers getting a high value starter in their place
Warriors get Simmons, Milton, Lopez
76ers get Beal, Poole
Wizards get Wiggins, Wolves pick, Wiseman
No one wants Wiggins contract
You’re right but any Warriors trade HAS to include him if they bring big money back. That’s just a fact. If they can’t deal Wiggins then the Warriors are out of luck. No trade possibilities for a star. Call it a day it’s over.
I’m saying somebody will take Wiggins especially after he improved so much this year on both ends of the floor. He is a safe 20 points a game for a team that needs it on the wing. But if they can’t find a taker, it will be 2021 all over again:
Curry, one half of Klay Thompson, Wiggins, Draymond Green, James Wiseman learning curve, and that’s not going to fly I guarantee you that. They will NOT do 2021 over again. That’s not happening.
Gary… you are right. Simmons, as is, would be great for Golden State – I been thinking that since last season when Brett Brown had him. He’d be perfect with them, borderline illegal! If they don’t win it this year (they won’t) he will be available and that package you proposed could get it done, even without Jordan Poole included. Philly won’t run it back with Ben and, while it won’t be a fire sale, they know they’re not getting an Allstar package for him. Wiggins, picks, and a role player or two will get it done, as you said. They actually coulda got more for him last offseason than they’ll be able to this one. Btw… would help Wiseman too. He’s better on the right side of the court goin middle to his left. Ben is better on the left perimeter driving to his right to create. Would be great for both?
Ben should play wing. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Fact is Sixers don’t have and have never got a real PG. Except Fultz and he bombed. So they have no one to play there but Ben. Ben can post any wing. He can attack any wing. He is not Magic so I don’t get this love affair with him at point. At wing he could easily put up 17-20 and still get 6-8 ast. He does not run a team like a real PG could. Plus at wing he can lock down other teams wing. Tobias and Ben make up best athletic team combo of wings in NBA. Both can play 3-4 no problem. Both can go inside outside. I know I’m not smartest guy. But Ben at PG is insane.
But Al, Ben HAS to play point guard. Absolutely has to. You can’t have a wing or even a four man that can’t shoot the three. Even centers need to shoot the three.
But as a point guard you initiate and you go to the hole and kick to the shooters. There’s no other position on the floor for Ben to play.
He’s perfect for the Warriors.. they have the shooters.
Klay for Simmons straight up. How bad do you want him? Gotta give to get.
I believe the Warriors have to have Klay and Steph together because they both make the other guy better. It just works. All the things Klay brings to the table is what Steph needs and vice versa.
For years I said if you put klay on another team he wouldn’t be as good. Can’t create his own shot Etc. But with Steph he’s a star. His defense his shot making his confidence his Grit everything that complements Steph Curry’s game.
So Ben Simmons for Klay Thompson straight up? Initially I would say no.. but thinking about it.., okay let’s do it !! LOL. I just don’t think the Sixers would do that. ACL and achilles tendon rupture at 30 years old and four more max years? Warriors look forward to having him back but I don’t think he’s trade material for another team to reach out for.
Yeah, even Elton Brand wouldnt do that one – no tellin how Klay is gonna be coming back, and for how long… 5 games… 5 years?
I wouldn’t mind Draymond and Poole (as much as I like Poole) for Simmons and Shake Milton. Or Wiggins and Poole. I don’t see a role for Draymond if you got Simmons. I like him defensively but Draymond wants to handle the ball. But Simmons would really help Curry and Thompson.
Simmons is a rich man’s Draymond Green.
Defense and assists is about all he offers the team.
Simmons is a helluva player for any team… Draymond, not so much.
Golden State was an ideal fit for Draymond.
Simmons is an ideal fit for Golden State! Would love to see it happen.
Two options for Celtics fans
1 get swept
2 miss playoffs
Pick one
Ainge says the celtics are good enough though, fans say he is right for not trading for Turner or Vucevic and not trading Kemba… You get what you pay for!
Where’s the hate for Tatum not being able to c because of the light from an eye poke? But LeBron was faking??
Sorry but Bron was faking. I’m a Bron guy. But he is a bit of drama Queen lol.
LJ got hit on the jaw by a beaten standing defender from well inside the circle reaching for his head with no hope of ball contact. It was a moratorium on dirty Green, not the guy hit.
So true my friend… but BOS has always been a team of fakers & most people seems ok with that, but when a real injury happens in LAL… then all is fake, SMH!!!
I know who Jeff Green is but the article doesn’t mention his name until “As for Green…”. Please review and edit these posts.
We now know Jeff Green’s mom has a HoopsRumors account lol
Fixed, thanks.
Sixers could trade Ben to GS but the trade would need to have Klay included.
Klay is going nowhere and the Sixers wouldn’t want him !!!
He’s coming off a torn ACL AND a torn Achilles tendon… and has a 4 years remaining on his MAX deal? Yeah let’s bring in Klay LOL. The Warriors look forward to him being back, but I don’t think he’s an attractive trade acquisition at this point.
It’s ridiculous how so many people seem to think that Klay Thompson will be anything close to 100% on opening night in October. His latest injury was barely 6 months ago, no way is he going to make a full recovery from a torn achilles in less than a year. Especially after he just recovered from a torn ACL last year.
I agree with you, as likeable & talented Klay has always been, I am afraid he will never be the player he was again, sad to say!
Remember he’s not relying on quickness. He will lose his lateral defense but at 6-7 he’ll be like a regular guy out there now. Thing is that shot is not going away and he’s 6-7 so he can get it off at any time. He’ll be fine.
Klay will get his 20 points and he’ll put 100% effort into being a good defensive player. That’s a combination I look forward to seeing.