Team USA secured its second win at the FIBA World Cup in China after a dramatic overtime 93-92 victory over Turkey. However, this win came with a price as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum sustained an ankle sprain.
Injuries happen. The high-pressure situations that Jayson Tatum endured — and thrived in — during Tuesday's game alone were invaluable for his development, and it's why the reward greatly outweighs the risk with international hoops.
📰: https://t.co/j63EM2MEbf pic.twitter.com/DxywWDgRUQ
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) September 3, 2019
Tatum got hurt on the Americans’ final possession of the game, twisting his ankle on a drive into the lane, and tests today confirmed the sprain. He will definitely miss the next game against Japan on Thursday, and could likely sit out the first game of the second round. The opening game of the second round is on Monday, the same day Tatum will be re-evaluated. Tatum finished the tilt with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds along with a couple of steals and blocks, and three assists.
He played a vital role in a win. Tatum was fouled while taking a triple with one-tenth of a second in regulation. Tatum made the first free throw, missed the second, and hit the third to tie the tilt and send it to overtime.
“I wasn’t nervous,” Tatum said. “I’m still (mad) I missed the second one. Then I wouldn’t have got hurt. We won. Glad I was able to help give us some extra time and extend the game. As long as we win, that’s all that I care about.”
Gregg Popovich shouldn’t be worried about this setback as there’s not much at stake for the Americans against Japan. Team USA already clinched the top seed out of Group E.
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens doesn’t think Tatum’s injury is serious, but considering Boston has four players representing Team USA and six in total at this World Cup, Stevens would like to have all of his players back healthy. Still, he is aware that the injuries are part of basketball.
About 20 minutes after his ankle injury, Jayson Tatum texted Brad Stevens, who is in Boston, and told him the injury didn't appear to be serious. #Celtics #TeamUSA
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 3, 2019
“At the end of the day, they’re going to be playing 5-on-5 other places,” Stevens said. “I don’t think you can get any better prep than doing what those guys are doing, playing in environments where everybody is rooting against them, tight games.”
