Miami Heat starter Caleb Martin has received immense backlash for his foul on Jayson Tatum in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. The No. 8 Heat matched up with the No. 1 Boston Celtics in the first round, traveling with a shorthanded staff.
The Heat are without two starters in Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. This led to key roles for guys like Martin, Haywood Highsmith, and Nikola Jovic. Martin was involved in a scuffle late in the game after holding the Tatum assignment.
Some believe the foul was intentional and possibly planned from the Heat’s coaching staff, while others are blaming a Celtics player for pushing Martin into Tatum.
Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports
After an official postgame review from the NBA’s league office, it was revealed that Martin’s foul on Tatum will stay issued as a common foul and he will not receive a flagrant foul penalty or suspension.
According to a league source, the #NBA is not expected to upgrade the Caleb Martin foul on Jayson Tatum to a flagrant or a suspension. #Celtics #Heat
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) April 22, 2024
