The Boston Celtics’ resounding victory over the Miami Heat in the 2024 Playoffs was nearly spoiled by Jayson Tatum’s dangerous fall with just 1 minute left in the game.

47 minutes into Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs 2024 between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat passed without any hitches. The home team Celtics completely dominated and held a comfortable lead on a day when the Heat were without their star player, Jimmy Butler.

But in the final minute of play, a bit of drama unfolded. Miami’s shooter, Caleb Martin, committed a very rough foul on Jayson Tatum. The collision occurred mid-air and caused the Celtics’ All-Star player to land forcefully on his back.

The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics have met in the last 3 NBA Playoffs matchups, and even further back, they’ve clashed in 4 postseasons out of the last 5 years.

Every time they face off, there are always intense collisions or rough fouls. This time was no exception, with Martin committing a fairly clear foul with an unnecessary collision.

After lying on the court in the silence of the TD Garden arena, where over 19,000 fans watched anxiously, Boston Celtics’ star player, Jayson Tatum, managed to get up on his own and successfully made both free throws.

Jayson Tatum knows he’ll be “taken care of” during the NBA Playoffs.

In sharing with reporters, Jayson Tatum expressed his understanding of the nature of playoff basketball in the NBA, especially when facing a long-standing rival like the Miami Heat.

“This is the NBA Playoffs, where physicality and collisions are heightened compared to the Regular Season. I know this and I’m well aware of the Miami Heat, a team known for their physical style of play and plenty of collisions. It’s just a regular situation,” Tatum said.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are fortunate that no injuries occurred, both for him individually and for the team as a whole.

Caleb Martin, the Miami Heat player, believes he was pushed, leading to the mid-air collision with Jayson Tatum: “I know that collision was quite intense; it seems like I was pushed from behind, and momentum directed me towards Jayson. Knowing it was a heavy foul, I took the initiative to help him up.”

Tatum added that being fouled like that is part of the game: “In that play, I knew they committed enough fouls for my teammate, so I went in to contest to try to draw the foul. I’m sure I’ll face more collisions and fouls in this series. The important thing is I’m not hurt and not injured.”