The stakes couldn't be higher for the Boston Celtics as they head into a do-or-die Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers. But the team's path to victory just got a whole lot tougher: Jayson Tatum has been added to the injury report with left knee soreness and is officially listed as questionable. Without their superstar, the Celtics will need to dig deep and find production from unexpected places. Here are two players who absolutely must step up if Tatum can't suit up.
Derrick White: The Secondary Scorer Boston Needs
White hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard in this series, but Game 7 is the perfect stage for a redemption story. Through the first six games, he averaged just 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest—solid but far from spectacular. His Game 6 performance was particularly quiet, with only 11 points, one rebound, and one assist, limiting his overall impact on the floor.
Here's the thing: even though White and Tatum play different positions, when Tatum is sidelined, White becomes the team's second scoring option alongside Jaylen Brown. The Celtics need him to find his rhythm early, attack the rim, and knock down those mid-range jumpers. If White can rise to the occasion in Game 7—whether Tatum plays or not—Boston's chances of advancing skyrocket.
Payton Pritchard: The Bench Spark That Could Change Everything
When it comes to instant offense off the bench, Pritchard is Boston's best weapon. His ability to put up points while the second unit is on the floor will be even more critical if Tatum is unavailable. Remember Game 4? Pritchard exploded for 32 points, helping the Celtics seize a commanding 3-1 series lead. That's the kind of performance Boston needs right now.
At home, with the crowd behind him, Pritchard has the confidence and shooting touch to replicate that magic. If he can provide that same scoring punch in Game 7, the Celtics should feel very good about their chances of moving on to the next round.
Every championship run has its heroes. For Boston, Game 7 might just be where White and Pritchard write their names into Celtics lore.