NBA Allegedly Makes Decision Regarding Caleb Martin’s Aggressive Foul on Jayson Tatum
The NBA is anticipated to maintain Caleb Martin’s foul on Jayson Tatum without upgrading it to a flagrant foul or issuing a suspension, as reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
In a scenario where the Miami Heat trailed significantly with less than a minute remaining, Martin instigated contact, colliding with Tatum, causing the MVP contender to fall hard on his back. Despite the impact, Tatum exhibited resilience akin to Kevin Garnett, brushing off the incident and converting the ensuing free throws.
Following the accidental collision, Martin appeared inclined to approach Tatum and offer an apology. However, Jaylen Brown, along with Kristaps Porzingis, expressed discontent and engaged in a conversation with Martin. It’s worth noting that Martin was a standout performer during last May’s Eastern Conference Finals, where he averaged over 19 points per game against the Celtics, who nearly staged a remarkable 3-0 comeback.
In Sunday’s series opener, Tatum achieved his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Celtics’ 114-94 victory. Postgame, Martin expressed that his contact with Tatum was unintentional and attempted to extend an apology.
Despite being behind by 30 points at one stage, the Heat staged a fourth-quarter resurgence, reducing the deficit to 12. Nonetheless, the Celtics managed to maintain their lead and secure a comfortable victory with a 20-point margin.
Looking ahead, the Celtics aim to extend their lead, assert their dominance in the postseason, and secure a 2-0 advantage in Wednesday night’s matchup.
