Team USA Sets Timeline for Tatum's Ankle Injury

Jayson Tatum seemingly avoided a major injury scare Tuesday, but he'll still be on the shelf for a few days.

The Boston Celtics star will miss at least the next five days for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and will have his sprained left ankle re-evaluated Monday, Sept. 9, USA Basketball announced Wednesday morning, via The New York Times' Marc Stein.

That means Tatum won't play in Team USA's final group stage game against Japan on Thursday and also will miss its first second-round game Saturday. 

The earliest he could return would be Monday's second Round 2 game, or Team USA could hold him out until the quarterfinals, which begin Wednesday if it advances.

Tatum suffered the injury while passing to Khris Middleton in the final seconds of Team USA's overtime win over Turkey. The 21-year-old told reporters (and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens) his injury isn't serious, but C's fans probably won't mind if he takes his time in coming back.

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