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Joe Mazzulla explained Jayson Tatum’s last-minute scratch against Magic

Jayson Tatum’s availability was a game-time decision on Monday night.

The Celtics forward wasn’t feeling well, but tried to power through and play, coach Joe Mazzulla said.

But, ultimately, Tatum was ruled out with a non-COVID illness and the Celtics lost the game against the Orlando Magic without him.

“Right before we came out for tipoff,” Mazzulla said. “He did what he tried to do to try to play, he just wasn’t able to.”

Losing without Tatum was not an excuse, Mazzulla said. The Celtics led by 14 at the half and coughed up the lead.