Jayson Tatum Reveals Surprise Injury That Hampered Performance In Playoffs

Jayson Tatum had a rocky 2022 NBA Finals, and his performance led to many criticizing his capability to sport his best foot in crucial games.

However, it appears there is more to the story, with the 24-year-old revealing that he was playing hurt.

Tatum told Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report that he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist last NBA season.

For some reason, the injury healed at some point. However, Tatum reinjured it when the Celtics played the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs.

The three-time All-Star also added that no one except for Boston knew about the injury.

"It was small, but it was still like a non-displaced chip. So like I chipped a bone but it didn't leave the surface. But it had shown that the bone had grown over it so it healed, but I was still in pain because I kept getting hit or falling on it. So I guess I played with somewhat of a fracture for like two months," Tatum said.

"I dunked it, Giannis [Antetokounmpo] chased me down and fouled me and I fell into the crowd. That was the most painful it's been since that day that I hurt it. I ended up getting a cortisone shot in my wrist that night and you could see it. I've lost color in my hand because it kills the fat cells and there's not a lot of fat in my hand, so I've lost color right there."

For those who may not recall that sequence, here is a video clip from NBA TV.

Tatum went further to explain that despite being injured, it was not an excuse for falling short in the finals against the Golden State Warriors.

The third overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft willed his way to help his team, averaging 25.6 points in the postseason.

Now, the Celtics are hoping to get another crack at the NBA title with Tatum at the helm.

The Celtics have so far added Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari to the mix, and it remains to be seen if more players will be headed to Bean Town.