Report: Jayson Tatum to play against Warriors on minutes restriction

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will be back on the floor Thursday night against the Warriors

An All-Star hopeful, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will be back in action on Thursday.

According to Boston.com, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Tatum will play against the Golden State Warriors, though he will be on a minutes restriction. Tatum has missed the past three games because of a groin injury he suffered against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 22. 

The Celtics and Warriors will tip off in Boston at 8 p.m. EST.

This game will be Tatum’s first since the passing of Kobe Bryant, a mentor and friend who he looked up to. Tatum talked about what Bryant meant to him in the video shown below.

A third-year player out of Duke, Tatum is having his best season to date. He’s averaging a career-high 21.5 points per game and shooting 36.6% from the 3-point line.

As one of the Celtics’ top players, Tatum is the team’s second-leading scorer behind Kemba Walker. Tatum also ranks fifth in 3-point percentage.

With the All-Star game around the corner, the game’s reserves for both conferences will be announced Thursday on TNT before the night’s games. Tatum has a chance to be a first-time All-Star, and he’s deserving of a spot because of his breakout year.

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