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Celtics star Tatum 'doing okay' after exiting Sacramento win with ankle issue

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has reassured fans the injury suffered by Jayson Tatum during Monday's win over the Sacramento Kings does not appear to be serious.

The defending NBA champions extended their winning streak to six games with a 113-95 road victory over the Kings.

Tatum led five Boston players in double figures with 25 points, but his outing was cut short when he left for the locker room with an ankle sprain late in the third quarter.

The six-time All-Star took a hard foul from Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis when making a 3-pointer, briefly staying in the game to make one of two free throws before exiting.

Tatum has averaged 27.1 points this season, only managing a better figure in 2022-23 (30.1), so any long-term absence for the 27-year-old would be a major blow for the Celtics.

He also leads all Boston players for rebounds (8.7) and assists (6.0) per game this campaign.

However, Tatum told reporters after the game his ankle was "just sore", and coach Mazzulla is optimistic he will not be out for long.

"He seems to be doing okay," Mazzulla said. "I didn't see the play, but they made the right call. 

"It was fortunate that he was able to shoot the free throws. [He's] taking care of it right now.

"I literally just asked him how he was doing, and he said, 'okay'. He'll do anything and everything to make sure he gets better."

The Celtics, who are 53-19 for the season and sit second in the Eastern Conference, are midway through a six-game road stretch, with their next outing coming against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.