The Boston Celtics are facing a late-breaking injury scare just hours before their pivotal Game 7 showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers. Star forward Jayson Tatum has been listed as questionable due to left knee stiffness, a development that has sent ripples of concern through the basketball world.

Initially, the Celtics released a clean injury report on Friday afternoon, giving fans every reason to believe their superstar would be ready to go. But in a dramatic twist, Boston issued an updated report less than eight hours before Saturday's tip-off, revealing Tatum's new ailment. The timing couldn't be more critical, as it adds an element of uncertainty to what was already shaping up to be a high-stakes elimination game.

Tatum first experienced the knee issue during the second half of Thursday's Game 6, though he managed to finish the contest. Head coach Joe Mazzulla had reassured reporters on Friday that Tatum would be available for Game 7, making this sudden change all the more surprising. Some injuries, however, can take time to fully manifest, and it's possible that the stiffness has worsened overnight.

If Tatum does take the court, there's a real chance he won't be operating at 100 percent. That would put additional pressure on the rest of the Celtics roster to elevate their game. Guard Derrick White, in particular, has struggled throughout much of this series and will need to find his rhythm if Boston hopes to advance without their leading scorer at full strength.

For Celtics fans, this is a tense reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the NBA playoffs. All eyes will be on Tatum's status as game time approaches, with the team's season hanging in the balance.