The Boston Celtics' California road trip started with a bitter defeat against the Golden State Warriors, leaving fans wondering if they can avoid another setback against the in-form Sacramento Kings. The answer hinges heavily on the status of Jayson Tatum, their MVP-caliber forward, who suffered an ankle sprain in the Golden State game.

Tatum's injury dampened what began as a promising start. He racked up four points, two rebounds, and an assist-rebound in the first four minutes before the ankle twist sent him to the locker room. Though listed as "probable to return" initially, Tatum finished with a underwhelming stat line of 15 points and 8 rebounds, a far cry from his usual dominance.

In the post-game presser, Tatum acknowledged the injury's impact while refusing to use it as an excuse for the loss. "Ankle swells up," he admitted, describing the stiffness that hampered his movement. While he soldiered on, the question remains: will he suit up against the Kings?

The Celtics have yet to release their injury report, but Tatum's inclusion seems likely. However, the possibility of Coach Mazzulla resting him to avoid further risk can't be ignored.

The Kings, on the other hand, are looking sharp with a healthy lineup, minus the absence of Alex Len. This sets the stage for a potentially thrilling matchup, with the Celtics' fate resting on Tatum's availability and their ability to adapt.