The Boston Celtics are facing an even steeper climb than anticipated as they prepare for a decisive Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. According to a report from NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes, star forward Jayson Tatum has been downgraded to questionable for tonight's matchup at TD Garden.

The Duke alum is reportedly dealing with knee stiffness—a concern that first surfaced during Game 6 when Tatum exited in the second half of Boston's road loss to the Sixers. Speculation has swirled about whether this issue is a compensatory injury linked to the Achilles tendon problem he suffered last postseason, though notably, this affects the opposite leg.

For a Celtics team already battling a resurgent 76ers squad, the potential absence of their leading scorer would be a massive blow. Tatum has been the engine of Boston's offense throughout the series, and without him, the team's depth will be put to the ultimate test. However, all hope is not lost—Boston has shown resilience before, and role players like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart could step up to keep the season alive.

Looking ahead, if the Celtics manage to advance and face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they'll need Tatum near full strength to have a realistic shot at moving deeper into the postseason. For now, all eyes are on the injury report as tip-off approaches, with fans holding their breath for a star who has carried this team through so many high-stakes moments.