Tatum hit a 3-pointer and landed on the foot of Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who was assessed a flagrant 1 foul for getting into Tatum’s landing space, while Tatum writhed in pain and frustration on the ground.

The six-time All-Star had to be helped off the court. Without him, the Celtics still cruised to a 113-95 victory and improved their record to 53-19.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum lies on the court after landing on the foot of Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) and injuring his left ankle.

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

There is a feeling, especially among Celtics fans, that Sabonis had deliberately stuck out his foot to injure Tatum. But he gave a mea culpa afterward.

“I feel horrible,” Sabonis said, per Brenden Nunes on X. “I’ve had a crazy month myself, personally, and you never want that to happen. So, I apologize.”

This was bad timing for Boston since Jaylen Brown, its other standout forward, had just returned from a knee ailment that had sidelined him for the previous three games.

Tatum came into Monday averaging 27.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists a game this season. While Boston is firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference and has an eight-game cushion over the third-place New York Knicks, not having Tatum for a significant stretch would hamper its efforts to get ready for the playoffs.