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Shaquille O'Neal downplays Jayson Tatum's fall due to foul by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic: “So freaking what?”

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Boston Celtics star player Jayson Tatum suffered a wrist injury when he fell to the ground in Game 1 as Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope committed a foul by touching him at the basket. While Celtics forward Al Horford has hinted that making Tatum fall was intentional, sports analyst and former Boston Celtics player Shaquille O'Neal brushed it off, saying, “So freaking what?”

Shaquille O'Neal points out Jayson Tatum’s fall is no big dealThe Boston Celtics have taken a hit early in the first round of the playoffs. While they comfortably defeated the Orlando Magic 103-86, they suffered a setback as their pivotal player, Jayson Tatum, sustained a wrist injury. Advised to rest for at least 24 hours, Tatum will, as expected, be sitting out Game 2 of the first-round series on Wednesday.

Reacting to the incident, Celtics forward Al Horford told Gametime, “There was something extra there. It was the second or third time.” But Shaquille O’Neal turned down the claims and said during Inside the NBA, “SFW, so freaking what? It’s playoff basketball. I remember back in the day when the guy went up and touched him a little bit—these are the things you have to go through, especially if you want to go back-to-back. Just because you’re Jayson Tatum, they’re supposed to let you through? No.”


Tatum went down hard and clutched his wrist in visible pain after being fouled by Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Despite the fall, Tatum stayed in the game, finishing with 17 points and a 14-rebound double-double.Providing a health update, ESPN
NBA Insider Shams Charania reported via video that Tatum underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a bone bruise. He’s been advised to rest for at least 24 hours, almost confirming he won’t be available for Game 2. Charania tweeted, “Celtics list Jayson Tatum as doubtful for Game 2 vs. Magic.”

Also Read: Shaquille O'Neal targeted by memers after getting a portable toilet on Inside the NBA set

Tatum has been averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists this season and remains one of the most important players on the Celtics roster. This will mark the first time in his career that Tatum misses a postseason game, having appeared in all 114 playoff contests since his 2018 debut. With Boston eyeing a championship run, even a brief absence from their star forward could prove costly.




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