The Boston Celtics got themselves a relatively easy win in their 2024 playoff opener on Sunday, but there was a moment of controversy.
Late in the game, Miami Heat wing Caleb Martin bumped Celtics star Jayson Tatum hard while the two were going after a rebound, and Tatum took a hard spill as a result.
The Celtics and their fans cried foul, and some even accused Martin and the Heat of intentionally trying to injure Tatum.
But on Monday, the NBA decided not to upgrade Martin’s foul to a flagrant, and he will not be suspended, per NBACentral.
The NBA will NOT upgrade Caleb Martin’s foul on Jayson Tatum to a flagrant or suspension, per @GwashburnGlobe pic.twitter.com/FCLScmbNLD
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2024
It looks like the league got this one right — Martin simply bumped Tatum hard, and it was likely the way Tatum fell that angered Celtics fans.
Boston won this game, 114-94, even though Tatum shot just 7-of-18, but they clearly have an advantage in this series because Jimmy Butler, Miami’s best player, is out with an MCL injury.
Last year, Miami overcame the Celtics in seven games, winning Game 7 by a wide margin in Boston despite blowing a 3-0 lead to set up that seventh game.
The year before that, the two teams also played to a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Celtics were able to outlast Butler’s squad.
If Butler were healthy this time around, Miami would likely have at least an outside chance because of their history of playoff success, particularly against the men in green.
Instead, it looks inevitable that the Celtics will win this series without too much trouble and move on to face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers matchup.
NEXT:
Former Player Accuses Erik Spoelstra Of ‘Dirty Play’ In Game 1 Loss