Jayson Tatum To Miss Celtics Vs. Magic Game, Offers Update On Groin Injury

The Boston Celtics will face the Orlando Magic without at least one of their biggest guns.

The C’s announced Friday in their injury report that Jayson Tatum will miss Boston’s next game due to a groin strain. Despite the bad news about Friday’s contest in Orlando, Tatum insists the injury isn’t too serious.

Tatum suffered the groin strain Wednesday during the Celtics’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He left the game in the third quarter and did not return. Afterward, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said the injury wasn’t too concerning, easing fears of a potentially long layoff.

Tatum’s self-assessment suggests he won’t miss too much time, but the Celtics undoubtedly are better with him in the lineup than out of the rotation entirely.

As for the status of injured duo Enes Kanter and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics had no update Thursday. Kanter still will miss the Magic game, as well as Sunday’s showdown with the New Orleans Pelicans. Brown will be a game-time decision Friday.

The Celtics vs. Magic game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center.