While Devin Booker sang his praises for Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery, Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott made jokes for the Boston Celtics forward.
“I wish he wasn’t playing,” Ott joked on Twitter (formerly Twitter), via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin.
Even with the jokes, Tatum’s recovery was almost unprecedented, as most people thought he would not play in the 2025–26 season. Nevertheless, he came back at a very promising time.
The Boston Celtics are in second place in the Eastern Conference and have done a great job without Tatum. Guys like Jaylen Brown have been in MVP conversations, as well as potential Sixth Man of the Year, Peyton Pritchard’s play has improved.
Those two, the rest of the team and head coach Joe Mazzulla have held down the fort since Tatum was out. Now, the latter is finding its groove on the floor.
Still, keeping the six-time All-Star on the field as a threat is an entirely different game plan. Obviously, the numbers aren’t there, as he continues to recover and get back to real game-speed. The efficiency is not there, but it is something that will come at the appropriate time.
For Ott, the game planning looks much different than it did for the first time when the Suns and Celtics faced off. The Duke basketball standout is a nightmare for both sides.
Very big for a guard, very fast for a forward, seems like a good fit. As Phoenix tries to even up the season series, Monday’s game could be history repeating itself or a potential upset.
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