As the game started, Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum was pulled out of the starting lineup due to a mysterious illness. Boston didn't comment too much on it and Tatum ended up not playing in the game.

Tatum's third career triple-double was the first for a Celtics player that included 40 or more points since Bird scored 49 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland in a 152-148 double-overtime win on March 15, 1992, according to the team.