標籤: Celtics

Is there some tension between Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics? Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady recently said on his podcast that there were “deep issues” between Brown and the Celtics, although team president Brad Stevens and Brown himself denied this.

The team performed brilliantly in the first round of this season’s playoffs, taking a 3–1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Is Jaylen Brown looking to move on? He described it as his most enjoyable season in the NBA. That’s saying something since they won the championship in 2024. But could his happiness have been the opportunity he got to be The Man in Boston for most of this year? Jayson Tatum was out until the beginning of March, and perhaps Brown really liked taking the reins of his team.

If that’s the case, he could get it on a full-time basis if the latest discussions are successful. This wouldn’t be the first time the Browns have heard their name in trade rumors. But Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, speaking on NBC Sports, said it could get more serious this summer.

It has been a complicated relationship. He has to absorb trade rumors year after year. So if there is any tension, it is understandable. But if there was an opportunity for Boston to trade Jaylen Brown, it would probably be this offseason…

One team is going to get Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and that will probably leave five or six teams out there with young players, picks, draft capital and a whole bunch of stuff that they can potentially offer Boston for Jaylen Brown in a trade... They’re hearing reports of tension, and wondering if there’s an opportunity to take Jaylen Brown.

And you could honestly argue that acquiring Jaylen Brown is a better decision than acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo (based on age and recent injury history).

4 teams named as contenders to trade Jaylen Brown this summer

Mannix then specifically names four teams that could fit the bill to shift from Giannis to Jaylen trade focus:

• Miami Heat
• Houston Rockets
• Golden State Warriors
• atlanta hawks

These are actually the teams that seem to be most linked to Giannis, along with the New York Knicks. Undoubtedly, Kevin Durant will loom large over Brown in Houston, although KD could be dealt. And in Golden State, as long as Steph Curry exists, no one else can ever be “the guy.”

Brown finished the regular season with the best numbers of his career as he was the only alpha player out-scoring Tatum for the first 4 1/2 months. He posted 28.7 points, 6.9 boards and 5.1 assists per game. He took more field goal attempts (21.7 per game) and free throw attempts (7.5 per game) than ever before in his career. And he led the entire NBA in two-point FG attempts, at 16.0 per night.

Again, much of this will be impacted next season with Tatum’s return. So between that and the so-called “deep issues” between him and the team that his friend T-Mac talked about, perhaps Brown would welcome a new destination.

The Boston Celtics performed better than anyone expected in 2025-26. They entered this season with very low expectations as there was no guarantee that top star Jayson Tatum would suit up as he recovered from a torn Achilles suffered the previous spring. However, an MVP-caliber season from Jaylen Brown and a defense that gave up a league-leading 107.2 points per game, earning them the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs.

With Tatum returning in March and immediately looking impressive, the Celtics began the postseason as favorites to reach the NBA Finals. However, despite having a 3–1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, they were surprisingly eliminated in the opening round for the first time since the bubble playoffs.

His exit in the first round raises many questions on the structure of this team. Could they be finals contenders as they try to field two players with supermax contracts? Is making the playoffs every year enough? If the goal is to compete for championships, the Celtics need to make some big changes.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five bold deals the Celtics could make this summer.

Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and first-round picks Jaylen Brown in 2028, 2030 and 2032

If the Celtics decide they need to move one of those supermax contracts, Brown will likely be the odd man out, despite being an MVP candidate. But if they ever wanted to trade him, now would be the right time as his value is as high as it will ever be.

If there’s any glaring weakness for Boston, it’s in the front court. If they trade Brown, they still have strong core talent in Tatum and Derrick White. This is why Miami Heat great Bam Adebayo could be a trade target. He will give them both a defensive force on the front line and a good scorer who will help make up for the points left due to losing the Browns.

A deal that sends Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and two future first-round picks should get a deal done.

Jaylen Brown, Malik Monk, two first picks, including lottery selection in June, for Domantas Sabonis

Another potential target to strengthen the front court could be three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. While the Sacramento Kings star isn’t a defensive force, he is an elite rebounder and can stretch the floor just like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

To put the money to work, the Celtics would need to pick up the two years and $41 million remaining on Malik Monk’s contract. But if they get two first-rounders back in the deal, including the Kings’ lottery pick in June, that’s fine. The biggest issue is that Sacramento will have to find a trade for Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan after a deal is made.

Derrick White for Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick

The Celtics don’t need to trade Brown to be better in 2026-27. However, this would mean they would have to move on from fan-favorite defensive player Derrick White. A potential trade could see the two-time All-Defensive Team honoree sent to the Toronto Raptors for centers Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick.

While it’s not a sexy trade on the surface, Poeltl is a rock-solid and strong anchor in the front court that does everything you need to stabilize that position. As for Dick, he could be a potential steal who could be an impact player in Joe Mazzulla’s three-point-heavy attack.

Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Since Brown had such an impressive season, another option would be a swap for Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Greek icon has more accolades, Brown is a few years younger and far healthier than the 10-time All-Star has been in recent years. If necessary, the Celtics can add a future first-rounder, but they shouldn’t add more than that.

The Bucks will get to build a new star in his prime, while the Celtics can experiment with the combo of Antetokounmpo and Tatum for a season. If that doesn’t work out, they free up a ton of cap space after next season if he opts out in search of a new long-term deal.

Jaylen Brown for Alpern Sengun, Fred VanVleet and two first-round picks

An interesting young star who could be on the trade block this summer, and who addresses the Celtics’ frontcourt needs, is Houston Rockets two-time All-Star Alpern Sengun. While he has been questioned for his play consistently and early in the playoffs, he is still only 23 and has excelled in Ime Udoka’s defense-first system.

Houston would be interested in a championship by pairing Jaylen Brown with Kevin Durant in 2026-27. But Sengun and Tatum have plenty of long-term potential. Additionally, to make the money work, the Celtics would get veteran guard Fred VanVleet (if he opts into the final year of his deal) and two future first-round picks.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Boston Celtics got some terrible news about their top star just hours before a do-or-die Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Celtics 2025-26 season could surprisingly end in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs if they can’t figure out how to slow down the 76ers in the last two games and get a win at home tonight. Although they struggled in Games 5 and 6, there are still many who think they can pull out a win in Game 7.

However, the prospects for doing so have become increasingly difficult. According to Chris Haynes, “Jason Tatum has been downgraded to questionable for Game 7 tonight because he is dealing with knee stiffness.”

This is terrible news for Boston at the worst time. Still, it’s something the team should be concerned about in the long term, too. In recent days, there has been discussion about Tatum dealing with calf strain. Which makes sense because he made a surprisingly quick return to the floor from a torn Achilles in early March.

However, his knee problems are unexpected. Is this due to overcompensation as he builds confidence in his surgically repaired tendon? Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both suffered similar injuries during last year’s playoffs, and the pair missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Being doubtful does not mean that he will not be able to play Saturday’s match. However, the Celtics have lost by double digits in each of the last two games the six-time All-Star has been on the floor. It’s hard to imagine that they’ll be able to overcome a fully healthy Philly team without him tonight.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After 82 games and the latest edition of the play-in tournament, the 2026 NBA Playoffs are finally here. The postseason schedule begins tonight with a quartet of matchups, including the Atlanta Hawks in Gotham to battle the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets visiting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

So, who are the best teams heading into this year’s postseason? Our new NBA power rankings for the 2026 playoffs answer that question.

16. Orlando Magic

Expectations were high for the Orlando Magic in 2025-26, as they gave up a chunk of draft assets to land Grizzlies veteran Desmond Bane. However, he did not make the impact on attack that he had hoped for, and Franz Wagner missed only 31 games, making matters worse.

But the biggest surprise this season was the Magic’s decline on defense. They went from giving up just 105.5 ppg (No. 1 in the NBA) in 2024-25 to 115.3 this season. This is one of the main reasons why they are much weaker than pistons.

15.Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have seen dark clouds hang over their season since day one when former head coach Chauncey Billups was implicated in a wild poker game rigging scheme. However, interim coach Tiago Splitter did an impressive job overcoming the drama, leading them to a 42-40 record and their first trip to the playoffs since 2021.

The biggest reason they are in the playoffs this month is former Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija having a career year. The 25-year-old leads the team in scoring (24.2 ppg) and dropped 41 in their play-in win earlier this week. Their series with the Spurs should be fun while it lasts.

14. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors made the playoffs last season. Hopefully the addition of second-year head coaches Darko Rajakovic and Brandon Ingram can make a big difference in 2025-26. It has worked as they have won 16 more games than a year ago.

This season, Toronto has a top 10 defense (111.8 points). But an offense that ranks in the bottom 10 (114.6 ppg) is why they are vulnerable in a four vs. five seed battle with the Cavs.

13. Phoenix Suns

Outside of the 76ers, the Phoenix Suns were the NBA’s biggest drop in 2024-25. That’s why they made massive changes last summer, including bringing in a new coach and getting rid of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The changes produced positive results, and Phoenix was a team worthy of respect in 2025–26.

The biggest difference from last season is that this group plays very good defense, giving up the sixth-fewest points in the NBA (111.1 PPG). They need two play-in games to reach the playoffs, but should provide solid resistance to the defending champion Thunder in Round 1.

12. Los Angeles Lakers

There were high expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. He received a full training camp with young superstar Luka Doncic, and impressed head coach JJ Redick during his rookie year. Plus, they still have one of the greatest players of all-time, LeBron James, who is still playing at a high level.

Over the past few months, they were one of the best teams in the NBA. However, serious injuries to Dončić and Austin Reaves at the worst possible time left James alone to lead the way in a tough matchup against the Rockets in Round 1.

11. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers bounced back from a disastrous 2024-25 campaign thanks to the emergence of rookie VJ Edgecombe into one of the NBA’s most talented young stars, Tyrese Maxey, and a future All-Star. Their talented guard and white beard, Paul George, is why their series against the Celtics in Round 1 is a must-see matchup.

10. Atlanta Hawks

This has been a very interesting season for the Atlanta Hawks. At first it seemed like it was about building for the long term. The best evidence was the emergence of Jalen Johnson as a new star and the organization moving Trae Young, longtime face of the franchise, to Washington.

Just being competitive seemed like enough. However, the Hawks and their young players have looked confident and dangerous in the NBA playoffs, averaging 118.5 ppg – sixth best in the league.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the new season as one of the West’s elite teams after consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals. However, one of the NBA’s best defensive units has regressed this season. A year ago, they were delivering 109.3 per night. This year, they finished with 114.6 points.

With a superstar like Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves remain dangerous, but it doesn’t look like the teams of the last two seasons.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in the East during the regular season. However, for most of this season, Cleveland fell out of the No. 1 spot in the East. But after their deadline trade for James Harden, the Cavs headed into the playoffs like a dark horse.

While they have a middle-of-the-road defensive team, the group that posted 119.5 PPG – fourth best in the NBA – cannot be underestimated in the seven-game series.

7. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets were one of the NBA’s best stories last season, as they developed into an elite team in the West with strong defense and the emergence of Alpern Sengun. He believed that adding future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant would create a force that would rival the Thunder. But although the Rockets are good, they are not striking fear among their rivals.

Although they are only giving up 110.0 points per night – fourth best in the NBA – the absence of Fred VanVleet has resulted in an offense that ranks near the bottom 10 (115.2 ppg). However, they are favorites to advance as the Lakers are very excited to begin the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

6. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have gone from a feel-good story last season to one of the NBA’s best teams in 2025-26. Led by Cade Cunningham and his young core, the Pistons have a real chance to reach the NBA Finals, giving up only 109.6 PPG – third best in the NBA.

However, Detroit will only go as far as MVP candidate Cunningham takes them. After suffering a lung injury last month, there are concerns whether the team’s most important player will be limited at the worst possible time.

5. New York Knicks

After falling short in the East Finals last year, the New York Knicks made the bold move of firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and replacing him with veteran coach Mike Brown. Nevertheless, the move has not produced much different results compared to last season.

The team would win over 50 games for the third consecutive year, but despite a statistically top 10 offense and top five defense, Jalen Brunson and his Knicks have many critics because of how inconsistent they are against elite teams. They will have a very tough matchup against the Hawks early this postseason.

4. Denver Nuggets

When you have, arguably, the best player on the planet, Nikola Kokic, the Denver Nuggets will always be a very competitive team. Although they made a coaching change at the end of last season, their offense (122.1 ppg) is still the best in the NBA in the postseason.

A major reason for this is the re-emergence of Jamal Murray. The one-time All-Star had a career year in 2025-26 and looks like he could be a game-changer during their title run in 2023. If they can play solid defense when it matters, Denver will be a problem in the playoffs.

3. Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum’s season-ending injury a year ago set the Boston Celtics up for a season well below their usual expectations. However, Jaylen Brown and the best defense in the NBA (107.2 PPG) helped the Celtics finish with the second-best record in the East.

Although they would have been a force in the playoffs, they are a popular choice to reach the Finals as Tatum is back and looking back to his old form sooner than anyone expected.

2. San Antonio Spurs

There is no better story in the NBA this season than Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Despite being just a few years removed from a second consecutive 22-win season, the young team looks to win 40 more games in 2025-26 and is a serious threat for the Thunder in the West.

Additionally, the 22-year-old phenom is a legitimate MVP candidate and is likely to win Defensive Player of the Year due to his strength on both sides of the court. The French, their young and talented core, and top-three offense (119.8 ppg) make them feel like a group that can reach the finals in June.

1.Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in scoring last season and a year ago the franchise won its first championship. Not much has changed for reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the team in 2025-26 as they head into the playoffs with a top-five offense and No. 2 defense in the league (107.9 PPG).

The biggest difference in 2025-26 was that elite B-side forward Jalen Williams only played 31 games during the regular season. However, despite his absence he has had the best record in the NBA all year and is looking healthy at the right times.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

BOSTON – As a reigning MVP who is often nicknamed the “free-throw merchant,” Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander credits Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown’s frequent trips to the charity stripe. Brown led the Celtics to a 119–109 victory against the Thunder, ending the defending champions’ 12-game winning streak.

Brown shot 12 of 31 from the free-throw line, making all but two of his 14 attempts. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander gave Brown his flowers and credited him with giving him a pair of flowers Dominant performance in both the meetings Against the Thunder.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “They did a really good job of getting to the free-throw line, especially against us. I think it’s 14 twice. So, 28 free throws in two games? Great job.” “The best players in the history of the game go to the free-throw line. It’s part of the game and statistically the most effective way to score points.”

SGA on Jaylen Brown’s approach vs. the Thunder: “He’s done a really good job of getting to the free-throw line, especially against us. I think it’s 14 twice.

So 28 free throws in two games? Very good work. The best players in the history of the game go to the free-throw line.… pic.twitter.com/OVlyEfKFsQ

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 26 March 2026

In a 104–102 loss to the Thunder on March 12, Jaylen Brown went 13 of 14 from the free-throw line, before he and the Celtics avenged that loss in a 10-point win on Thursday. Scoring 12 of his 31 points from the line, Jaylen led Boston to an impressive two-point victory at the TD Garden.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits Thunder ‘failed’ against Celtics

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his team suffer setbacks amid multiple injuries throughout the regular season, he knows what to expect against the Celtics — a stellar effort. Gilgeous-Alexander description A lively playoff-type atmosphere At TD Garden.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “Every time you play the Boston Celtics, you get that playoff feel. No matter what day it is. No matter who’s there. They’re very well-coached. They have really good players.” “This is one of the premier organizations to play in the league, and they bring it every night. It doesn’t matter who is there.

“[They] There is a culture. They check all the boxes, and that’s why they’ve been successful over the years. It’s a game where you see where you really are, and they test you. Tonight we were tested; We did not pass it.”

SGA on playing at TD Garden: “Every time you play the Boston Celtics, you get that playoff feeling. It doesn’t matter what day it is. It doesn’t matter who’s there.

They are very well trained. They have really good players… It’s a game where you see where you really are and they test you. We got… pic.twitter.com/9BG0gRrqXa

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 26 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, eight assists and two steals in Thursday’s loss to the Celtics.

This season has been nothing short of a pleasant surprise for the Boston Celtics, but as fans and pundits gear up for the NBA Playoffs in the final stretch of the regular season, it’s fair to wonder if their luck could worsen due to seeding effects.

Currently, Boston’s 47–24 record would keep them as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today, they would have faced a play-in team in the first round of the tournament. While there is no doubt that they will be able to overtake their opening opponent, the Celtics’ real nightmare could come in the second round if they fall in the standings.

As good as the New York Knicks are, the team that resides in Massachusetts should fear the most from the Detroit Pistons.

With the return of Jayson Tatum, the team is still learning how to play with each other and finding ways to integrate the veteran back into the fold. As a result, it would be less advantageous for them to fall to the No. 4 seed and face a team that boasts one of the league’s best defenses and thrives on a physical offensive style that likes to generate contact.

The Celtics’ recent 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves featured a similar dynamic. Despite being without Anthony Edwards, the T-Wolves outscored the opponent 26–15 in the final quarter and earned an effort-driven victory, limiting Setlex’s 3-point shooting in the process.

“So tonight was not an example of what we’ve been doing all season,” Jaylen Brown told Jay King of The Athletic. “We’ve been a hard-playing team, we’ve rebounded aggressively, and we’ve matched the level of physicality. I think Minnesota overcame that tonight. But it’s a good wake-up call. We get back into it, we look at it, learn from it and move forward.”

The Celtics should avoid a second-round showdown with the Pistons.

Detroit is without point guard Cade Cunningham due to a collapsed lung, but they hope to have him back once the playoffs begin. Through the first 71 games of their season, the Pistons have posted the association’s second-best defensive rating, while also attempting the second-most free throws per game.

Players like Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are willing to play at a high level of physicality. It is not known how comfortable Tatum will be in such a matchup, or whether the Celtics have created enough consistency with him to compete against the team with the East’s best record.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers were to leapfrog Boston and claim the second or third seed, the second-round pick could theoretically force a meeting between the Celtics and Pistons. It may not be likely, but it could cut his season short.

The Knicks are a better matchup, regardless of home-court advantage

New York is clearly a contender and could be a threat to defeat Boston in the series for the second year in a row. But it can be argued that this year’s Celtics group is more balanced, assuming Tatum remains available. Even if the Knicks end up with home-court advantage in a potential second-round showdown, their style of play may be more manageable for Boston to deal with.

Like the Celtics, New York attempts 3-pointers at a high clip and boasts defensive strengths that primarily concern the opposing wing rather than centers. Both teams will likely play a close series, but Boston may have a solid chance to advance.

The Celtics have already dashed many expectations, but the wrong draw could end the franchise’s quest for a 19th championship.

BOSTON — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was flying high and feeling heroic in June 2024 as he helped the Green team end a 16-year title drought and celebrated with a championship parade that he described as one of the greatest experiences of his life. After about a year, it was all over. The six-time All-Star suffered an Achilles injury during the 2025 NBA Playoffs in May and was robbed of his super power: excelling in the game he loves.

An advertisement from director James Gunn superman The film depicts this tragic decline brilliantly. Tatum starred in a promotional piece that aired during the 2025 postseason and wore the iconic “S” on his chest, tying to the feelings of hope and invincibility that Superman is famous for. In fact, the lead excerpt of the ad asked if Tatum could eventually fill in and become Superman:

Jayson Tatum to star in new James Gunn commercial #superman pic.twitter.com/Q4z4OqITDl

– Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) 8 May 2025

Unfortunately, Tatum’s untimely injury showed that he was not super-human after all, and Warner Bros. pulled the ad after his Achilles tear.

Jayson Tatum’s journey from hero to human and back again

Unlike the caped hero above, Tatum doesn’t have the luxury of being invincible. Given the fact that he had never missed more than 18 games in a single season until this year, he may have deceived the fans to some extent, however, his injury and the grueling rehab process that came with it reminded them that he is vulnerable.

“I didn’t know what it was going to be like,” Tatum said Sunday night after his recent return to the game. “You just want to be Jason Tatum and feel like yourself again. I’m not Superman, so obviously it’s going to take some time.”

Since walking out of the tunnel at TD Garden on March 6 to confirm his return from injury, Tatum has played brilliantly. He has scored in double figures in all eight of his contests this season and the Celtics have gone 6-2 when he has been in the starting lineup.

Jayson Tatum ran out of the TD Garden tunnel with the Jays thundering: pic.twitter.com/TJt8pnpOym

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

However, that doesn’t mean his comeback has been seamless. The 2024 NBA champions shot less than 40% from the field during Sunday’s 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and struggled in the first half before looking like themselves in the final 24 minutes of action.

“This is the first time I’ve been through something like this,” he said in the locker room. “I mean, it’s been a long time. It’s been a long time since I could shoot a basketball, before I could walk. So, just game by game, trying to knock the rust off. I’m getting great spurts and moments game by game and I’m trying to put more of them together.”

When he’s in true “Superman” form, Tatum is tearing up defenses with his passing, leaping for rebounds, and blasting past opponents like a speeding bullet. He had moments in March — including his 24-point performance against the Golden State Warriors or his clutch bucket in transition against the Phoenix Suns — when it seemed as if he had never been injured.

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum’s progress and the Celtics’ overall play tonight:

“He’s rebounding at a high level on both ends of the floor, playing at a fast pace, screening, making two-on-one reads.”

“He’s playing with a smile on his face.” pic.twitter.com/OnxFnFYM9X

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 19 March 2026

But, despite his gifts, Tatum has still experienced some parts where he looks a lot like Clark Kent, Superman’s human alter ego who can’t fly in the public eye. He missed 12 of his 15 shots in a tough win over the Memphis Grizzlies and, most recently, failed to find the bottom of the net in the first two quarters against the T-Wolves.

“It’s only my eighth game, so still trying to get a feel for it,” Tatum said.

Why does Jayson Tatum deserve patience?

While Tatum’s occasional struggles may be frustrating for Celtics fans, one detail of Superman lore is worth remembering: Clark Kent is still Superman. Superman’s suave, bespectacled face isn’t as much fun as him wearing a blue, red and yellow suit and flying through the sky, but he’s still the same person – and he’s still heroic.

This applies to Tatum because although the 4-time All-NBA First Teamer hasn’t always been at his best since suiting up again, it takes an almost super-human amount of strength to see the floor once again in less than 300 days from a painful injury.

“I had the worst injury I possibly could and I came back 10 months later [I’m] “Every game is getting a better experience,” he revealed.

So, even though Tatum may look more akin to Kent than Kal-El, remember what he had to go through to get to this point and that playing like a superstar after an Achilles rupture isn’t as easy as turning into a phone booth.

“I wanted to be perfect and like first-team All-NBA Jayson Tatum,” Tatum said, snapping his fingers. “But it will take time. I didn’t rush the rehab process, so I can’t rush it.”

Tatum could soon don his cape when the Celtics host the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who have won 12 consecutive games, on Wednesday night. But even if the 28-year-old has trouble against the league’s best team, it’s worth noting that progress in the NBA is rarely linear. There are often a lot of ups and downs involved, and Tatum may have to stumble again before he can really take off.

“It’s all going to work out,” he said.

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Denver Nuggets 125-118 on Wednesday, then will once again face a challenging opponent in the Boston Celtics on Friday. The Grizzlies have a detailed injury report ahead of the matchup. GG Jackson, who is dealing with a right knee injury, is listed as questionable. Taj Gibson, who played in Wednesday’s 125-118 win, is also questionable due to soreness in his right foot.

Upon his return to the NBA, the 40-year-old Gibson, who last played for the Charlotte Hornets in 2024-25, joined the Grizzlies midseason. On Monday, Gibson made his Grizzlies’ season opener against the Chicago Bulls, his former team who drafted him in 2009. He spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Bulls. The fans at the United Center gave him a standing ovation.

Grizzlies’ Jackson finished with 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks in the Grizzlies’ upset win against the Nuggets. Ty Jerome’s 21 points led the Grizzlies to the win. Oliver-McSevens Prosper finished with 19 points, including three triples and two blocks, and GG Jackson II added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

As far as whether GG Jackson or Taj Gibson will play in the Grizzlies’ matchup against the Celtics, the answer is probably no.

grizzlies injury report

Santi Aldama – Outside – right knee; surgery recovery

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Outside – right 5th finger; surgery recovery

Brandon Clarke – Out – Right calf; strain

Zach Eddy – Out – Left Ankle; surgery recovery

Taj Gibson – Questionable – Right leg; agony

GG Jackson – Questionable – Left knee; agony

Jahmai Mashaq – outside – left ankle; Sprain

celtics injury report

Nikola Vucevic – outside – right ring finger; fracture

BOSTON — Steve Kerr finally said his quiet voice out loud after the Golden State Warriors’ 120-99 loss to the Boston Celtics, their sixth loss in seven games.

“We’ll be in the play-in,” Kerr said. “We know this, one way or another.”

It’s a reality the Warriors have understood for some time, Kerr said, but the fact he vocalized it to the press is significant. As Golden State drops to 10th in the West after a 120-99 loss to the Boston Celtics, its play-in destiny is a stark observation.

But also important is how he cited his “game plan mistakes”, i.e., allowing the Celtics to back cut and box out, things the team overcame in their morning shootaround. It is significant how the words Kerr used repeatedly during his disappointing press conference were “process,” “habits” and “emotion” to emphasize his lack of success.

“Going through the same actions this morning, we gave up early, like three back cuts,” Kerr said. “And we totally messed up [those] Coverage three times in the first quarter. Can’t do this. Cannot be done. Do you want to win playoff games? You better lock in. So get locked in.”

What does closure look like in Steve Kerr’s eyes?

For Kerr, being locked up means many things. It starts with eliminating mental mistakes and implementing your preparation. It also means being ready for Stephen Curry and the rest of the crew to return from injury. But it’s also about what Kerr describes as “the spiritual part.”

“The lock-in part of it is not just the mental part of it, but it’s the spiritual part. It’s the emotion. How prepared are you, how confident are you? How united are you? And like I said, it’s easy when you’re beaten down. It’s easy to hang your head. We can’t hang our heads. We’ve got to keep that at bay.”

Keep is the keyword because they are plug-in. Warriors are not losing for lack of effort. They have worked hard, they have struggled and struggled. Even brought down many players. Even with two-way players and guys on 10-day contracts. And they’re certainly not tanking, Kerr has made that clear on several occasions.

But Kerr reaching his boiling point after defeat signals a very specific kind of smoke. A very specific type of messaging may take effort, but it’s nothing without the process. Without habits it is nothing. And that’s what the Warriors are trying to establish so they can take the field when the big guns arrive.

“I’m telling people, we have to build our habits and be prepared for when we get people healthy again,” Kerr said. “Because then we can have that firepower that can be complemented by a foundation of good habits, good fundamentals. As I said, I think there are a lot of things we can improve on. But at the base of all of that is your spirit, energy, confidence. We have to work on that as well.”

reality of warriors now

Gui Santos summed up the Warriors situation as it stands right now.

“We know it doesn’t matter whether we win 13 games or lose 13 games, we’re going to keep playing [in the play-in]Santos said.

Therefore, as attested, the players understand the realities of the situation. They know they have to be in good shape when Curry eventually returns. Based on the latest updates, with Curry ramping up his individual work this week, he’s getting closer. And in the words of Pat Spencer, the Warriors need an identity to be proud of, given how different the team is now with Jimmy Butler out and Kristaps Porzingis out.

“It’s about creating an identity,” Spencer said. “When we get number 30 and a few other guys back we’ll really have something solid and something we can rely on.”

Kerr’s belief in this team is as strong as ever. Hence his vocal frustration.

“If we’re ready when they come back, we can do some damage,” Kerr said. “We can go rushing. But we can’t make mistakes in the game plan. We’ve got to develop better habits. Like boxing out, taking care of the ball in transition, being more efficient in transition, things like that.”

This is a handicap for 33-36 warriors. With injuries and limited time in the season, whether they can clean it up remains a challenge.

The Golden State Warriors have been without Stephen Curry since the All-Star break as he deals with a knee injury. It seems like Curry may be close to returning to the court as the Warriors try to make a late-season push, as he was seen taking shots in shootaround before the game against the Boston Celtics.

Warriors star Steph Curry gets a shot during a team shootaround in Boston.

(via @kenzofuku) pic.twitter.com/tuJ7X2Ghxg

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 18 March 2026

This is good news for the Warriors, but it also may not mean much. Curry is believed to be reevaluated soon, and there is a possibility he could return sooner rather than later.

Head coach Steve Kerr recently spoke about Curry’s injury, as many have asked why he doesn’t shut down the guard for the remainder of the season if he is injured.

“When people ask me about this year, and I’ve been asked this many times, why don’t you rest Steph all year? OK, he’s healthy, we’re competing, that’s what we do. And we want to give ourselves a chance and that’s the whole point. The beauty is in the pursuit, in the work. And when you fail, it’s hard to recover from that,” Kerr said on the Tom Tolbert Show.

The Warriors are still in the playoff race, and will likely have to make it out of the play-in tournament to earn a win. This is nothing new for them, as last year they found themselves in the same situation, and were able to earn the No. 7 seed. What made it even better was that they defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

There’s no doubt that the Warriors are battle-tested, but they need their star player to improve their chances of winning more games during the season.

As the 2026 NCAA March Madness Tournament begins, the basketball world’s eyes turn from the professional grind to single-elimination theater. This is where legends are born and draft stocks grow strong. For the Boston Celtics, this tournament is a high-risk scouting mission. Of course, most teams are either vying for ping-pong balls or desperate for a play-in race. However, Boston finds itself in the enviable position of being a powerhouse that still keeps a keen eye on the future.

The 2026 draft class has been heralded as one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory. It has been compared to the famous group of 2003. Of course, the Celtics are always trying to maximize their window. Thus, be on the lookout for them to identify the right talent in this pool that could be the difference between a fleeting moment of glory and an ongoing dynasty.

Key strengths in 2025-26

As of mid-March 2026, the Celtics have firmly established themselves as one of the dominant teams in the Eastern Conference. They currently hold a strong record of 45-23. Under the strategic guidance of Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics have navigated a difficult schedule with the poise of a seasoned champion. They are behind only the surprising Detroit Pistons for the top seed in the East. Jaylen Brown is playing at an All-NBA level. He is currently averaging over 28 points per game.

Meanwhile, the supporting cast, including Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard, have provided much-needed continuity as they recover from various roster injuries. Boston’s defense remains their calling card. They lead the league in fewest points allowed per game. That said, it’s their offensive efficiency, which ranks second this season, that has truly made them a nightmare matchup. As the playoffs approach, the Celtics look every bit like a team capable of hanging another banner on the roof of the TD Garden.

Strategic depth and future security

Despite their current success, Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office are well aware that the NBA landscape is constantly changing. This is especially true in the era of second aprons and strict salary cap restrictions. Boston enters the 2026 offseason with their first-round pick. Given his unique position he has probably been placed in the 26th to 28th category. Their draft strategy will likely focus on finding NBA-ready talent who can contribute on cheap rookie-level contracts while providing specialized skills.

The primary need for this roster moving forward includes finding versatile wing depth. They also need high-IQ interior rim protection and secondary playmaking that suits their switchability and spacing. Given the hefty financial commitments at their core, the draft represents the most viable path to adding high-level talent without breaking the bank. The Celtics won’t be looking for a project. They want impact players who have the basketball IQ and defensive versatility that have become hallmarks of the Mazzulla era.

Candidate Mara, Michigan

If the Celtics are looking to secure a long-term anchor for their frontcourt, Michigan’s Ade Mara is the most interesting prospect available at the end of the first round. The 7-foot-3 junior has seen his stock rise during the Big Ten season. He has shown a unique blend of shot-blocking and high-post playmaking that is rare for a player of his stature. Mara is currently averaging around three attempts per game. His 7-foot-6-inch wingspan allows him to contest shots without even leaving his feet.

However, what makes Mara really interesting is her demise. He is arguably the best passer in the country. Mara can initiate sets with elbows or find cutters with pinpoint accuracy. It will be important to see how Mara handles the speed of high-major guards in the tournament. Nevertheless, his ability to serve as both a defensive wall and offensive center makes him a natural fit for the Celtics system.

Dellin Swain, Texas

In the modern NBA, you can never have enough 6-foot-8 wings who can handle multiple positions, pass and defend. Texas standout Dellin Swain is just that. Since transferring from Xavier, Swain has developed into a primary engine for the Longhorns. He is averaging nearly 18 points and 8 rebounds while showing a defensive motor that never stops. He has an impressive handle for his size. This allows him to attack closeouts and finish through traffic with a level of physicality that translates well to the pro level.

For Boston, Swain represents the perfect developmental wing who can provide energy and switchability off the bench. His shooting from deep has also improved by 35 percent. If he can show consistent stroke play during deep runs in the tournament, he will prove he belongs in the first round final conversation.

Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

Prospects to watch include Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. He is a 6-foot-9 tall interior force who has blown up draft boards due to his elite defensive instincts. Johnson is a quintessential “connector” on the defensive end. He shows the lateral quickness to switch to smaller guards while having the strength to hold his own in the post. Sure, he’s not a high-volume scorer. However, he is an amazing play finisher who understands his role. Johnson shot more than 63 percent from the field, enjoying a lot of lobs and putbacks.

For the Celtics, Johnson is a dream prospect who could finally charm Nikola Vucevic without a massive drop in scheme integrity. Their performance in March will be a litmus test for their offense. However, his defensive ceiling is high enough that he could be a lock for a championship contender looking for immediate help in the trenches.

Derrick White is listed as probable for Saturday night’s matchup as the Boston Celtics prepare to face the Washington Wizards.

Boston released their latest injury report ahead of Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. ET tipoff, listing White as probable with a right knee injury. The update comes as the Celtics look to snap a two-game losing streak and regain momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season after a 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

White last appeared in Boston’s 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, delivering one of his strongest performances of the season. The veteran guard recorded 34 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one block while shooting 11 of 22 from the field. He also converted 9 of 11 free throws and completed 3 of 11 from three-point range in 40 minutes.

The 31-year-old has played a major role in Boston’s backcourt all season long. In 63 appearances, White averaged a career-high 17.5 points, as well as 5.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. He is also posting a career-best 1.2 steals per contest while logging 34.3 minutes per game.

While his shooting numbers are 39.4% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range, White continues to be a valuable two-way contributor for the Celtics team, which currently holds a 43-23 record.

Celtics injury report reveals Derrick White’s status ahead of Wizards matchup

Boston’s injury report includes White as well as several additional players:

• Baylor Scheierman – potential (sprained right ankle)
• John Tonje – Suspicious (G League Two-Way)
• Nikola Vucevic – Outside (right ring finger fracture)
• Derrick White – potential (injury in right knee)

The Celtics enter Saturday’s contest with the goal of stabilizing after recent losses by maintaining their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Meanwhile, Washington comes in with a 16-49 record as the Wizards head into a rebuilding season. The matchup provides Boston an opportunity to gain momentum against a team near the bottom of the conference standings.

Saturday’s game also marks the beginning of a three-game homestand for the Celtics. Following its contest against Washington, Boston will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Tipoff between the Celtics and Wizards is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET, with the game airing on MNMT and NBA TV.

The Boston Celtics have their superstar back in the lineup. Jayson Tatum was out of action for 10 months after suffering an Achilles injury, but a major recovery effort from the injury has allowed the Boston All-Star to return to the lineup.

With today being International Women’s Day, Jayson Tatum was asked about his mother’s influence on him:

“Often, I look up, and I see her in the crowd, she was just crying. Obviously, she was with me the whole way.

“So, for me, getting back on the court, obviously… pic.twitter.com/4dVzVnpcJ2

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 8 March 2026

They made their return on Friday with a win over the Dallas Mavericks and they played their second game on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. The hard-working Celtics dominated the game and won 109–98. They led by 26 points in the third quarter before head coach Joe Mazzulla’s team put them on cruise control.

Tatum played a key role in the win as he scored 20 points in 27 minutes of action. Fellow superstar Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points.

Tatum’s mother Brandi Cole attended the game on International Women’s Day, and she credited him with playing a key role in his rise to prominence with the Celtics, as well as his comeback this year.

According to Celtics writer Bobby Krivitsky, Tatum said after the game, “Oftentimes, I look up, and I see her in the crowd, she was just crying.” “Just because, obviously, she was with me the whole way. So, for me to be back on the court, obviously makes my mom very happy, and to look up there and see her in the crowd is an incredible feeling.”

Tatum and the Celtics are back in action on Tuesday when they play another road game against the San Antonio Spurs. They remain on the road and meet the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

The Boston Celtics have played sensational basketball in that turnaround season, as superstar Jayson Tatum has recovered from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs. Tatum returned to the Celtics lineup in Friday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks and he also made a solid contribution in Sunday’s 109-98 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jayson Tatum on reintegrating with the Celtics:

“I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.”

“The hardest part for me is the minute restriction. That **** quite frankly sucks… Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

🎥:… https://t.co/qkqqRdjzYx pic.twitter.com/CKCKREnkkl

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 8 March 2026

Tatum scored 20 points and partnered with Jaylen Brown (23 points) in the win over the Cavs. Boston led by 20 points at halftime and increased it to 26 points in the second half, before the Celtics won by double digits in the fourth quarter. Tatum played 27 minutes in the game and made 6 of 16 shots from the floor.

Tatum is very pleased with the progress he has made in his return to the Celtics. “I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.” Tatum said After the game. “The hardest part for me is the one-minute restriction. This nonsense quite frankly sucks. Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

The Celtics have 18 games left in the regular season for Tatum to fully acclimate to this year’s team. He should be at full speed by the time the postseason starts.

Tatum has always been the Celtics’ primary scorer throughout his career, but fellow star Jaylen Brown has been the team’s leader this season. One of the keys for the Celtics is how Tatum and Brown play off of each other from this point forward.

In addition to the two stars, the Celtics are getting huge contributions from Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard, Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Boston Celtics later in the week, and it will be a showdown between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are on a roll this season and got even better than their last game with the return of Jayson Tatum. As for the Cavs, they have been working with some new pieces on their roster, and they have helped them over the past few weeks.

Donovan Mitchell had missed the last four games with a right groin strain and it was uncertain when he would return to the court. His injury report is still pending before the game against the Celtics, but it looks like he has a chance to be fit.

Here is Mitchell’s position before his game.

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Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. the Celtics

Mitchell is listed as probable against the Celtics, meaning it seems likely he will return from his absence. Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell was fully involved in the Cavs’ latest practice, and it looked like he was on his way back soon.

The Cavs probably wanted to be careful with Mitchell’s injury, especially since it was a soft tissue injury, but if he didn’t feel good, they wouldn’t put him back on the court.

Injuries have piled up for the Cavs at the moment, and that’s to their key players. James Harden has a fractured right thumb, but he has found a way to deal with it, and likely won’t notice it until his season is over. Keon Ellis also has a fracture in his finger and despite this he is playing.

Jarrett Allen suffered a knee injury during the week against the Detroit Pistons, but Atkinson says it is not a long-term issue.

Paolo Banchero praised Jayson Tatum after the Boston Celtics forward returned to action after suffering an Achilles injury during last year’s postseason.

Banchero shared the comments Saturday after leading the Orlando Magic to a 119-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 22-year-old forward finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists while shooting 10 of 18 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line in 35 minutes.

After the win, Banchero was asked about Tatum’s return to the court.

“It was great to see him out there. I just have to give him a lot of credit. I think his mentality was there from the beginning when he first got injured, I watched him over the summer and you could tell he was going to try to get back sooner than everyone thought. I didn’t know it would happen this season, but you could tell he was already working, even right after the injury.”

Banchero continued by emphasizing the challenge of returning from an Achilles injury and the impact of seeing Tatum back on the floor.

“So, it was great to see him out there and I think he’s an inspiration to everybody… Just for him to be completely recovered in front of the whole world and to come out and have a great game last night. It’s not easy to get over that injury, and I can only imagine how he had to deal with it mentally and all that stuff, but happy for him, man. Looking forward to getting down there against him. I think we’ll play Boston once again, see him in the playoffs, But yes, he is happy, for sure.”

Paolo Banchero praises Jayson Tatum as Celtics, Magic can meet again in playoffs

Tatum returned to the lineup in Boston’s 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, helping the Celtics improve to 42-21, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

In his first game, the 28-year-old recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal, while shooting 6-for-16 from the field and 3-for-8 from three-point range in 27 minutes.

Banchero and Tatum share a connection dating back to their college careers. Both players starred at Duke University before entering the NBA, with Tatum playing one season for the Blue Devils in 2016–17 and Banchero following a similar path during the 2021–22 season.

The Celtics and Magic also met in last year’s postseason, when Boston defeated Orlando in five games during the first round.

With the Magic currently positioned in the Eastern Conference play-in race, a postseason rematch is possible. Orlando improved to 34-28 with Saturday’s win and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth place and one game behind the Toronto Raptors for the fifth seed.

Orlando will conclude its two-game road trip on Sunday night when it visits the Milwaukee Bucks (26-35) at 8:00 pm ET.

The Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Friday night in a game that held personal significance for rookie forward Cooper Flagg. While Dallas lost 120-100, that night meant more than the score for the 19-year-old Maine native, who played his first professional game in Boston against someone he has idolized for years, Jayson Tatum.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, received an unusual welcome during pregame introductions. Boston fans, who typically criticize opposing starters at TD Garden, instead greeted the rookie with loud cheers. This reaction surprised Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Many family members and friends from Maine were in attendance near the flag for the homecoming game.

Facing Tatum added emotional weight to the matchup. Flagg grew up watching the Celtics and followed Tatum’s development closely, including his college career at the Duke Blue Devils under coach John Scheyer. Flagg also played one season at Duke before entering the NBA.

“It was unbelievable. There’s a lot of levels to it,” Flagg said after the game when asked about playing against Tatum. “He’s someone I’ve idolized growing up, watching him come up through the ranks and ranks. I’ve watched him at Duke, and have been inspired to follow in his footsteps and play [Jon] Scheyer, and then obviously getting into the league is just unrealistic. It was really special for me to have this experience tonight.”

Sharing with Cooper Flagg/Tonight Jayson Tatum on the reception from the Boston/Maine crowd:

“There are so many levels to it. He’s a guy I idolized growing up…to see him at Duke and follow in his footsteps…it’s surreal. It’s really special for me to get this… pic.twitter.com/jq2CMbYptK

– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) 7 March 2026

The rookie finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes, but his efficiency wasn’t there, shooting 7 of 23 from the field and 0 of 4 from three-point range. He also committed three turnovers and had a minus-17 rating. The performance came just two games in after an eight-game absence due to a left medial sprain and returned for the second consecutive night.

Although his numbers were modest, Flagg continued to carry a heavy workload for Dallas. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward often serves as the team’s point-forward, running several offensive sets despite the Mavericks’ 21–42 record.

Tatum’s return to action was another major storyline. Playing his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon last May, he finished the night with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes, and shot 6 of 16 from the field.

Next, the Mavericks will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors on Sunday, while the Celtics will visit Cleveland to face the Cavaliers.

Jayson Tatum is back in action, and fans are in championship excitement after his season opener in the Boston Celtics’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

Tatum tore his Achilles in last year’s playoff series against the New York Knicks in the East Semifinals. After 10 months of rehabilitation, he successfully returned to court.

In 27 minutes of action, Tatum completed a major step in his recovery. He finished with a stat line of 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal. He made 6 of 16 shots from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc.

It didn’t take long for fans, who had high expectations on the Celtics’ championship potential, to respond to the performance. Here are some of their reactions.

NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote, “What a great debut for Jayson Tatum, as he had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in exactly 27 minutes on the night against the Mavs. The Celtics star had a strong performance in his first game since tearing his Achilles in May.”

“Seeing Tatum back on the court is one of those iconic moments that will stick with me for the rest of my life. On behalf of basketball fans around the world, welcome back JT!” one fan said.

Another commented, “I couldn’t have imagined the reality of being a Celtic fan tonight even in my dreams.”

“Highlights: 1. Bible Belt. 2. Flagg stuck in NGL Dallas. 3. Tatum double double. 4. We’re back,” one commented.

One replied, “All it took was one try to get him to start cooking, my goat is really back.”

Jayson Tatum, how the Celtics played against the Mavericks

Jayson Tatum played brilliantly and the Celtics defeated the Mavericks 120–100 in a home win.

Six players, including Tatum, scored in double figures for Boston in the win. Jaylen Brown led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds, Derrick White had 20 points and four assists, while Payton Pritchard provided 18 points and seven rebounds.

Boston improved to a 42–21 record on the season and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

The Celtics will look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Cavaliers as tip-off takes place on March 8 at 1pm ET.

The Dallas Mavericks are very likely out of playoff contention for the remainder of this 2025-26 season, but there is a lot to look forward to with Cooper Flagg having a stellar rookie season.

That rookie season got a scare on Friday night when the Mavs took on the Boston Celtics. Early in the first quarter, Cooper went for a flag layup and was fouled, but he landed awkwardly and immediately grabbed his ankle in pain.

Flagg stood up with the help of his teammates and limped to the Celtics bench for a timeout.

It looked like Cooper Flagg injured his leg after going down after a foul. #nba #Different #celtics #MFFL #MFFLAGG pic.twitter.com/dTT7g2hARC

– ZeroChillSports (@ZeroChillSports) 7 March 2026

After the timeout, Cooper Flagg came back onto the floor, advanced to the free throw line, knocked down both free throws with ease, and remained in the game and played well without any problems.

Friday night’s game is the homecoming game for Maine native Cooper Flagg. He is the third player in NBA history from Maine to play in the NBA, joining current Detroit Pistons guard/forward Duncan Robinson as well as former Nets and Magic forward Jeff Turner.

“I think it’s great that his family is here,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Cooper Flagg’s return to the New England area. “Not just his mom, dad and brother, but other people will also be able to watch him play in person tonight. It’s exciting. Hopefully he can perform well and we understand that it’s not easy playing against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it’s a big challenge for him.”

In seven minutes of the first quarter, the Mavs rookie finished the period with six points, one rebound and one steal on 2 of 5 shooting from the field.

Fans went wild after Jayson Tatum attempted a one-handed dunk during his season debut in the Boston Celtics’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

Tatum finally made his long-awaited debut on March 6. This occurred approximately 10 months after tearing his Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 East Semifinals against the New York Knicks.

Tatum missed the first 62 games of the season, leaving him with 20 games left to potentially participate. Making his debut against Dallas, he attempted a one-handed dunk in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Even though the rim rejected him, the fans in attendance were happy to see him use that burst of athleticism to improve his health.

TD Garden was almost destroyed after this dunk attempt by Jayson Tatum 👀🗣️

pic.twitter.com/mAajlxH7W

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 7 March 2026

The primary storyline heading into Friday night’s game between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks is the return of superstar Jayson Tatum after tearing his Achilles 10 months ago. The Celtics are hoping to have Tatum back in the lineup for the final 20 games of the season so that they are in a position to compete for an NBA title with their entire team when the playoffs begin. The other story is that Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will get a chance to play on the same court as Tatum for the first time in his career.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on Cooper Flagg’s excitement for today’s game:

“He mentioned Tatum as one of the guys he looks up to.”

“It is not easy to play against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it is a big challenge.” pic.twitter.com/taU0G38zwk

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

Flagg grew up in nearby Maine, and he regularly followed Tatum in his formative years because he admired the way the Celtics superstar played the game.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg is excited to play in Boston against a player he has followed for several years. “He mentioned Tatum as one of the guys he looks up to,” Kidd said during his media availability before Friday’s game. “It is not easy to play against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it is a big challenge.”

Flagg and the Mavericks come into the game as 14.5-point underdogs against the Celtics. The rookie is averaging 20.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and is recovering from a recent foot injury. The No. 1 pick in last year’s draft has shown that he will likely be a superstar in the coming seasons.

Tatum is scheduled to play his first game since suffering an injury in last year’s second-round playoff game with the New York Knicks. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and partnered with Jaylen Brown to lead the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship. Tatum is averaging 23.6 ppg over his eight-year career.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is expected to be available on Friday night when Dallas faces the Boston Celtics, while veteran guard Klay Thompson looks probable on the team’s latest injury report.

Dallas released its updated report ahead of the matchup at the TD Garden, listing Thompson as probable with a right adductor contusion. Meanwhile, Flagg did not appear on the injury report after recently returning from a left medial sprain that kept him out of action for nearly a month.

The 19-year-old rookie returned to action in a 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night in Dallas. Flagg finished with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, four blocks and one steal, while shooting 7-of-22 from the field and 1-for-4 from three-point range in 26 minutes.

Flagg has emerged as one of the Mavericks’ key contributors during his rookie campaign. In 50 games this season, the forward is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range in 33.9 minutes per game.

Thompson also had a strong performance in Thursday’s close loss, leading Dallas with 24 points. The 36-year-old finished with four rebounds, one assist and one steal while hitting 7 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc in 26 minutes.

Now in his second season with Dallas, Thompson is averaging 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 55 games, including eight starts. The veteran guard is shooting 39.1% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range while playing 22 minutes per game.

Mavericks’ injury report shows multiple absences ahead of Celtics matchup

The Mavericks enter Friday’s contest with a 21-41 record as they continue to navigate a roster plagued by multiple injuries.

Dallas’ full injury report includes several key players:

• Marvin Bagley III – Questionable (neck sprain)
• Moussa Cisse – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Daniel Gafford – questionable (right ankle injury management)
• Kyrie Irving – Out (left knee surgery)
• Derek Lively II – out (right foot surgery)
• John Poulakidas – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Tyler Smith – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Klay Thompson – probable (right adductor fusion)
• Brandon Williams – probable (left quad contusion)

Dallas will face a Celtics team that enters the matchup at 41-21, the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston will be a big boost with star forward Jayson Tatum returning from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s postseason.

Friday’s game marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for the Mavericks as they look to stabilize their rotation while dealing with several injuries.

Tipoff between the Mavericks and Celtics is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at TD Garden, with the game being televised nationally on ESPN.

There is increasing buzz about the possibility of Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum returning from his Achilles injury before the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.

There has been no official announcement regarding this yet, but many believe that the former Duke Blue Devils star will be on the floor sooner than expected for the start.

And if it’s going to happen, will it happen this Wednesday, when Boston takes on the visiting Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden in Beantown? Here’s everything we know about Jayson Tatum’s injury and his playing status against the Hornets.

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Jayson Tatum Injury Status vs. Hornets

Despite the discussion, Tatum will not debut against the Hornets in the 2025-26 season, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“Jayson Tatum is out ahead of tomorrow night’s Hornets-Celtics clash. Amid speculation that he could return on Wednesday, that won’t be the case for the All-Star forward,” Seagal shared via a social media post on Tuesday.

Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon injury during Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2025. He went under the knife the next day to repair the injury and was subsequently declared out for the rest of the playoffs and expected to be unavailable for the entire 2025–26 campaign.

However, reports have revealed that Tatum has begun participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages, leading to speculation that he is getting ready to see action this season. Additionally, he also practiced with Boston’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

In any case, the Celtics are performing well even without Tatum. They enter the meeting with Charlotte with a 41-20 record, second in the Eastern Conference standings and a three-game winning streak following a 108-81 defeat of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The 28-year-old Tatum has played 585 games since being selected by the Celtics as the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, averaging 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from behind the arc.

So, when the question comes whether Tatum is playing against the Hornets, the answer is no.

celtics injury report

Jayson Tatum (Achilles): out

hornet injury report

Coby White (calf): Out vs. Mavericks (Tuesday)

What’s going on in Milwaukee? Over the past few games, Kyle Kuzma has been a solid role player for the Milwaukee Bucks. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, Kuzma played nice complementary basketball in place of the star. With Antetokounmpo returning against the shorthanded Boston Celtics, the former NBA champion was expected to go to the bench.

In fact, Kuzma went to the bench to start the Bucks’ game against the Celtics. However, Kuzma never left the bench during the game, not logging a single minute of action in their loss to a Boston team without Jaylen Brown. When asked why he was benched, head coach Doc Rivers said that he had decided not to play forward according to Eric Nehm.

Although Kuzma has not had a good game this season, the forward has been playing better in the last four games. He was averaging 16 points per game over the last four games, along with nearly four rebounds and only three assists. With the Bucks shut out for most of the game, it’s curious why Rivers decided not to give the forward a chance to perhaps contribute.

Over the last three games, the Bucks have lost a total of 78 points. This is a worrying trend, especially as they have been on a comeback trail and have won eight of their last ten matches. Rivers said this when asked about the sequence of defeats.

“I don’t care about the points. I just care about how we’re playing. We’ve been playing great, and we’ve kind of lost our way and I think that’s on both sides. I think offensively, we had a great rhythm and we’ve done that in spurts the last three games, but we haven’t been able to sustain it.”

The Bucks next face the Atlanta Hawks on March 4.

After suffering a brutal 103-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics were disqualified from meeting the 40-20 rule, which argues that to win the NBA championship, a team must win 40 games before falling out of 20 during the regular season. The fact that this theory comes from 13-time NBA champion Phil Jackson should be proof enough of its validity. If that’s not the case, consider that 40 of the last 44 NBA champions have crossed the 40-20 threshold.

Since the Celtics failed to follow Jackson’s nearly infallible rule, are they doomed? History probably says so, but there are some important contexts that should make the green team get a pass this season.

It took 58 games for the Celtics to reach 20 losses, and star forward Jayson Tatum suited up for zero of those contests. The six-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion is still recovering from an injury he suffered in May, yet there is reason to believe he could return to play before the regular season ends.

Shams on Jayson Tatum’s recovery:

“It’s about him combining multiple exercises and efforts to build strength in his calves.”

“(Tatum) is in the driver’s seat. He’ll make the decisions. The team hasn’t put any pressure on him.” https://t.co/f3zdRJiQ0b

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 26 February 2026

Without one of their franchise cornerstones, the Celtics still Almost managed to satisfy Jackson’s 40-20 rule. This is an accomplishment in itself, as the C’s were considered dead by many pundits and preseason projections.

Rather than blitzing through a gap year, the Celtics have fully recovered from their offseason losses – including centers Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet as well as guard Jrue Holiday – and have continued to develop homegrown talent.

Nearly every young Celtic, from rookie Hugo Gonzalez to third-year wing Jordan Walsh, has improved, and so have most of the veterans. While reigning Sixth Man of the Year Peyton Pritchard and starting guard Derrick White aren’t having career years (although, they’re still producing at a high level), Celtics star Jaylen Brown is playing some of the best basketball of his life.

In his 10th year in the NBA, Brown is setting new career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. His increased usage in Tatum’s absence has undoubtedly boosted his numbers, but, statistics aside, the 2026 Eastern Conference All-Star starter is playing winning basketball.

So, even without Tatum, the rest of the Celtics have stepped up and posted an impressive 38-20 record in nearly 60 games on the season. If they beat the Nuggets, they could reach the 40-20 rule with an easier matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

And while that hypothetical may no longer matter, what the Celtics could look like with Tatum does matter. The rehabbing star has been “full steam ahead” in 5-on-5 team scrimmages, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, meaning a return in March is not out of the question. His presence on an already overachieving Celtics squad will undoubtedly help them contend in a tough, but winnable East.

If Tatum had been healthy, it would have been pretty safe to say the Celtics would have been eligible for the 40-20 rule this season along with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons. Additionally, it is not unheard of for a championship team to win without its best player.

What the Milwaukee Bucks did without Giannis Antetokounmpo

During the shortened 2020-21 campaign, the Milwaukee Bucks failed to meet the 40-20 rule. Like the Celtics, they were shy in a few games, yet that didn’t stop them from winning the 2021 NBA Finals by defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games.

Before the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years, star center Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and was forced to exit the early loss. Fortunately, he did not suffer any major injuries, however, and he sat out Games 5 and 6 of the ECF against the Atlanta Hawks with the series tied 2–2.

However, that doesn’t mean the Bucks bowed out. They won both games by double digits without their star player, which is somewhat reminiscent of how the Celtics have been able to operate without Tatum.

Bucks win Game 5 over Hawks without Giannis

Lopez: 33 PTS (playoff career-high) | 7 REB

Portis: 22 PTS (playoff career-high) | 8 REB

MIL leads 3-2. pic.twitter.com/aOfI7GiGXq

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 2 July 2021

Of course, Antetokounmpo wasn’t injured as severely or for as long as Tatum, but this example proves that a team that falls short of the 40-20 threshold can still win everything even without their guy at full strength.

Seeding and eye test

The 2020–21 Bucks met another potential championship qualifier, despite losing 24 times before earning 40 wins. Those were the numbers. 3 seed, and NBA history shows that almost every champion has been a three-seed or higher.

The only exception is the 1968–1969 Celtics, who were ranked no. 4 seed, and the 1994–1995 Houston Rockets, who were number one. 6 seeds. Both of those teams were fresh off last season’s championship, and if there’s any team with a championship pedigree in the East, it’s the Celtics.

They may not be defending a title like the aforementioned teams, but they did capture a championship in 2024 under Tatum, Brown and head coach Joe Mazzulla. Those pieces are not left and although the Celtics violated the 40-20 law, they comply with the seeding stipulation.

NBA Standings Update‼️

▪️DET reclaims NBA’s best record
▪️ SAS achieved 10th consecutive victory

Download the NBA app for more: https://t.co/pBKIAWNToa pic.twitter.com/xb3B7EAMKB

– NBA (@NBA) 26 February 2026

Boston currently sits in second place in the East with a 2.5 game lead over the third-place New York Knicks. The Celtics aren’t cemented in that spot, but they’ve been taking up residence there recently. Also, more importantly, they have played their best basketball recently, winning nine of their last 10 games before losing to the Nuggets for the second night in a row.

Despite unofficial championship terms, the 2025-26 Celtics simply pass the eye test. They are fourth in net rating and have survived some early struggles to become a top-five team in the NBA this season. They crash the boards hard, defend well, and can’t be taken lightly, especially when the Browns are doing it.

Add Tatum to the mix and the Celtics are legitimate contenders. Not exactly a favorite for the title, but a contender — no matter what Jackson says.

The 2025-26 season remains as unfavorable as ever on the injury front for the Denver Nuggets. Most of their key men have missed significant time due to injuries, and on Wednesday night, it was Jamal Murray’s turn to suffer an illness as he was forced out of the contest against the Boston Celtics early.

The good news is that the Nuggets still took care of business against the Celtics at home, earning a 103-84 win over one of the hottest teams in the association, and the team has proven time and again that they can handle the absence of their key players.

But it seems like Murray should never have suited up for the Nuggets on opening night. After the game, head coach David Edelman revealed that Murray had been heavily medicated beforehand to try to get him healthy enough to play, but he couldn’t move forward easily For the entire game.

“He looked terrible. They gave him all the medications. It didn’t help. All kinds of physical things were happening,” Edelman said, via Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

Jamal Murray could be in line for a few days’ rest with the Nuggets

Murray deserves credit for trying to carry on and play despite the illness. But the Nuggets need to prioritize the long game.

The battle for position in the West is as heated as ever, but there’s no reason to risk life and limb in a regular season game.

Murray scored only two points in eight minutes of play, before exiting the game due to illness. The Nuggets have a day off before facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, though it remains to be seen whether Murray will be healthy enough by then.

The Denver Nuggets host the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night for a dominant showdown. However, Denver received some worrying news in the first half, when star point guard Jamal Murray left the game due to illness.

“Jamal Murray is questionable to return with illness,” Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reported via a social media post on Twitter from the former star.

Before exiting the game, the former Kentucky Wildcats star point guard had two points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field and an assist in just eight minutes of action.

This story is being updated.

The historic rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics took center stage at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, ending with a disappointing 111-89 loss for the home team. While the game remained competitive for three quarters, Boston fell behind in the final frame, with Jaylen Brown delivering a 32-point masterclass. The Lakers’ frustrations were further compounded when the team was whistled for three technical fouls, penalizing Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and coach JJ Redick for arguing officiating decisions. Even Luka Doncic, who finished with a modest 25 points, mocked the situation after the game, noting that if he had not been the one receiving the technical, the officiating would have actually been questionable.

The tension centered on a few specific non-calls that left the Lakers coaching staff looking for answers. According to a post from Oh No He Didn’t on X, JJ Redick addressed three technical fouls by highlighting the missed goaltending call on a LeBron James layup.

Redick said Celtics center Neemias Queta used a “stealth” strategy that stunned him. Redick said, “They missed an obvious LeBron layup, which was scored off the backboard, and Cueta stuck his whole hand, I can’t jump that high, so he stuck his whole hand through the rim.”

The coach said he would seek clarification on the legality of the move, joking that “Honestly, it’s a great way to defend floaters.” A separate video surfaced that shows Redick attempting to mimic the reach by holding the rim himself to emphasize the point.

Wow, I didn’t know JJ could jump like that, hahahapic.twitter.com/ccdLWEt7wh

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 23 February 2026

Despite the officiating play, LeBron James gave high praise to Jaylen Brown’s ability to keep the Celtics afloat during Jayson Tatum’s absence. James acknowledged that Brown is playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Boston roster was revamped in the offseason.

While James pointed to past friction, particularly Brown’s viral Summer League comments about Bronny James, he said their relationship remains civil and respectful.

For the 34-22 Lakers, the focus now turns to controlling their emotions and finding more offensive consistency as they look to move on from this bitter loss in the rivalry.

CD Guadalajara’s Armando Gonzalez has ended up on the transfer radar of Celtic and West Ham United. Martin O’Neill’s side and the Hammers will have to battle Barcelona to secure his services.

sports witness Recently covered claims from Mexico With Celtic, West Ham and Barcelona interested in signing the 22-year-old.

The report mentions contact with his agent, without specifying whether, on O’Neill’s behalf, West Ham or Barça have initiated talks with their representatives.

Celtic and West Ham’s approach is not solid

you can Relay the claims made by Celtic, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and La Liga winners elsewhere in Mexico and then cover the latest on Gonzalez.

Mexico International had the opportunity to switch to CKSA Moscow in the winter market. According to the report, the Russian club had deposited 20 million dollars [€16.9m] Bid for CD Guadalajara.

However, the move did not take shape as the forward turned it down to remain at CD Guadalajara. He did this with the intention of improving his chances of making it to the World Cup.

Feyenoord to challenge Celtic and West Ham

TUDN points to recent claims of offers from Celtic, Premier League side and Barça and insists that ‘none of these offers were concrete’.

O’Neill’s side, West Ham and the Spanish giants will have to be wary of competition from Feyenoord.

Journalist Eric López now says the Eredivisie side are the only club to have contacted CD Guadalajara for González.

As things stand, neither Celtic, West Ham or Barcelona have approached the Mexican club about a deal for their top scorer. Feyenoord made an attempt but it is unclear whether they will move to acquire the player’s signature in the summer.

The Celtic and West Ham goaltender has 17 goals and one assist in 24 matches in all competitions this season.

Two months ago, Mexican Club renewed His contract is till 2029. This will put them in a comfortable position to negotiate their potential sale.

Los Angeles – After a first quarter in which the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were tied at 28 each, the Lakers could not keep pace with their historic rival and were outscored 83–61 the rest of the game and lost 111–89. According to Lou Murray of The Athletic, the 89 points were the second-lowest total this season for a Lakers team that has been explosive offensively, and Luka Doncic admitted it was not normal.

“I thought they were playing physical. They were playing great defense,” Doncic said during his postgame press conference. “We need a better offense. We scored 89 points. That’s not like us so we have to be better.”

Coming into the game against the Celtics, the Lakers were 12th in the NBA in points per game with 116.2 points. They were 10th in offensive rating at 117.6. The Celtics, on the other hand, came in second in the league in opponent points per game with 108.4 and eighth in defensive rating with 113.5.

The Celtics’ swarming defense was certainly on display, especially their use of deep drops and strong perimeter ball pressure.

“You just have to match the physicality … especially on the defensive end,” Doncic said. “You have to match the physicality.”

Doncic finished the game with 25 points in 33 minutes while shooting 9-of-22 (40.9 percent) from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from the 3-point line. He also added five rebounds, three assists and one steal.

The Lakers’ offensive struggles were also highlighted by head coach JJ Redick, who felt the team generally played good enough defense to win games. This was a reversal of the team’s norm this season in which they have generally scored a lot of points, but struggled to stop opposing attacks.

“We did a good job limiting their fast break points, did a good job limiting their points in the paint. We played great defensively,” Redick said. “We were very aggressive tonight.”

For Redick, one of the key areas the Lakers struggled offensively was making shots at the rim and putting more pressure on the Celtics’ defense.

“I think there were opportunities to put more pressure on the rim, especially in the first half,” Redick said. “We took 11 non-paint twos. We were 13 of 29 on paint twos, non-rim paint twos. That’s not normally how we shoot. And then we got some good looks from three, we didn’t knock them down. You’ve got to make shots in this league.”

Redick added, “I think a lot of times when teams are on more downs than all of our guys playing pick and roll, it puts you in a bind of not having obvious options to pass.” “We’ve got to do a better job of finding guys and moving the ball.”

Before the game, the Lakers honored legendary coach Pat Riley, who battled against the Celtics in his day, by erecting a statue outside the team’s arena.

The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a strong start to the unofficial second half of their season on Friday with a narrow home win over the Los Angeles Clippers thanks to great play from Luka Doncic. They’ll try to keep things going on Sunday with a big game at the Boston Celtics, in the latest edition of the NBA’s most historic rivalry.

Before the game, the Lakers received a pep talk from an unexpected source: golf legend Tiger Woods.

“The Lakers continued their ‘Genius Talks’ series with a field trip to Riviera Country Club on Saturday for the Genesis Invitational, with Rob Pelinka arranging Tiger Woods’ visit and address for the team,” former NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on Twitter.

Previous guests on the series have included actor Will Smith, among others.

The Lakers will certainly need all the expertise they can get on Sunday against a Celtics team that has not lived up to expectations so far this season, looking like a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference despite playing without Jayson Tatum, who is close to returning from his Achilles injury.

The Celtics began their post-All-Star Game slate with a blowout win over the shorthanded Golden State Warriors on Thursday, and the Lakers will have to do their best to protect Boston wing Jaylen Brown, who has worked his way into fringe MVP conversations for his play so far this year.

Of course, the Celtics will have no easy task in themselves as they attempt to guard the Lakers’ three-headed snake of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, who had a solid game against the Clippers on Friday.

In any case, the Lakers and Clippers are set to kick off in Los Angeles on Sunday at the unusual start time of 6:30 pm ET, with the game being televised by NBC.

The Boston Celtics are back from the All-Star break on a mission. They beat the Golden State Warriors in their first game after the break and had a solid start against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

The Celtics have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, behind the Detroit Pistons. And they have won 10 of their last 13. The Celtics are hoping to continue their winning ways against the Lakers on a night when the franchise will honor legendary head coach Pat Riley.

The Celtics weren’t fazed in the first half. They took a 60–50 lead into the locker room at halftime, and they had stellar performances from starters Jaylen Brown (13 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists) and Derrick White (10 points, 5 assists) and Payton Pritchard (11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists) off the bench.

Pritchard made an incredible move when he hit a Step-back 3-point shot In the middle of the second quarter. During the game, he pretended as if he was going inside and Laker defender Jared Vanderbilt drove towards the paint. Instead, Pritchard took a step back and hit a 3-pointer. As the shot hit the net, Vanderbilt lost his balance and fell to the floor, 20 feet away from Pritchard.

If that wasn’t enough, Pritchard had the ball as the clock ran out in the final moments of the second quarter. As soon as the horn sounded, he hit a long 3-pointer over Luka Doncic, giving the Celtics a 10-point lead midway through the game.

It’s funny how a team’s record can affect a star’s injury return timeline. If the Boston Celtics were struggling to maintain a playoff position like many expected, fans probably wouldn’t expect Jayson Tatum to play this season. Although Jaylen Brown led the team to second place in the Eastern Conference, the public consensus is that number zero will speed up his recovery process and try to help the C’s win another championship.

Well, one should not jump to conclusions just yet. Despite making progress in his rehab for the torn Achilles he suffered during last year’s playoffs, Tatum isn’t ready to commit to anything.

“I don’t have a return date in mind,” he told the Celtics’ Bobby Manning on CLNS. “I take it one day at a time. I feel better than I did yesterday, and that’s the most important.”

.@RealBobManning Asked Jayson Tatum if he has a return date in mind:

“I don’t have a date… I just take one day at a time. I’m feeling better than yesterday.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/67bsMB4ubj

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 21 February 2026

The four-time All-NBA first-team selection continued during his lengthy recovery. While it’s probably tempting to look toward the playoffs, he realizes the dangers of rushing the process. If Tatum comes back well below full strength he won’t be any help for Boston. Nevertheless, the 2024 NBA champion is still making every effort to reunite with his teammates before the end of the campaign.

Tatum, by his own admission, has participated in “a little 5-on-5”, giving fans some hope that he could get on the floor this spring. If the 27-year-old is able to get fit before the playoffs, the Celtics will immediately become a popular NBA Finals pick. But for now they are doing just fine without the franchise pillar.

Boston has done a great job of staying focused on the task at hand as they continue to win. Speculation will not benefit anyone. C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla himself said: “I don’t live on experience. I live on principle.”

Here’s what we know. The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and Jayson Tatum is getting stronger every day. The fans will take it.

After considering the idea of ​​retirement, Al Horford decided to change things last summer and leave the Boston Celtics during free agency in favor of moving to the Western Conference to join the Golden State Warriors. The 39-year-old veteran spent a total of seven seasons in Boston, split over two separate stints, and he won a championship with the franchise in 2024.

Horford’s decision to join Golden State, his fifth different organization, was a surprise to many, especially those in Boston.

He had been a veteran leader of the Celtics for years, and Horford played a key role in the team’s success during and before the championship. Although leaving Boston was obviously a difficult decision for Horford and his family, he felt as if it was time to move on and finish his career elsewhere.

As for why Horford made this decision, the Warriors big man shed some light on the topic for the first time since deciding to join Golden State over the summer. However, the exact reason why Horford left is still unclear.

“The decision, it’s something that’s much deeper than basketball stuff. And it’s something I’ll share with people at some point, but for me, it felt like it was time for me to go somewhere else,” Horford told reporters in the Warriors locker room, via Bobby Manning of CLNS. “As far as the end of my career, I don’t know. I’m always keeping it open and it would definitely be a privilege to do that (return to Boston).”

“I’m just focused on trying to finish this year out.”

The Celtics insisted on cutting salary in the offseason, which is why they traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer. This philosophy continued at the trade deadline, as the Celtics went from being a second-apron team in the summer to below the luxury tax at the deadline.

Whether money played a role in Horford leaving Boston is unknown, but from his tone and the reasoning for his departure it seems as if something was going on behind the scenes that upset the veteran. Although he would not close the door to a possible return to finish his career with the Celtics, Horford made it clear that his decision was influenced by something “deeper than basketball.”

In his first game against the Celtics after signing with the Warriors, Horford recorded five points, eight rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes off the bench. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 121-110 on Thursday night.

The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most surprising teams this season. As they return to action Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors following the All-Star break, they sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 35-19 record.

“I’m trying to come back… I don’t know if that’s it.”@ChrisBHaynes The latest information has come from injured Celtics star Jayson Tatum on whether he will return this season. pic.twitter.com/mAYfrbpcux

– NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) 20 February 2026

While they are 5.5 games behind the first place Detroit Pistons, the Celtics look like they could be a dangerous team in the postseason. Jaylen Brown, Peyton Pritchard and Derrick White are leading the offense for head coach Joe Mazzulla and the team’s defense has been solid most nights. The fact that they are playing so well without All-Star Jayson Tatum has been a surprise to many basketball observers.

Tatum has been out the entire year due to an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoff loss to the New York Knicks. His rehab has been good and he has returned to practice. However, he is not sure when or if he will be able to return. There is some talk that Tatum will be able to return to the Celtics at some point during the season and lead the team to a playoff push, but Tatum doesn’t want to rush into anything before he is ready.

He Talked to an NBA insider Chris Haynes said that he is making every effort to make a comeback. According to Haynes, Tatum said, “I’m trying to get back and I’m doing everything I can to get back.” “I don’t know if I can.”

If Tatum can return to the Celtics and make a playoff run, it will improve Boston’s chances of making a long run in the postseason.

SAN FRANCISCO – If you would have told Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis during their championship run with the Boston Celtics that they would find themselves together on the Golden State Warriors, they wouldn’t have believed you.

“When we were in Boston, if anyone said this scenario was going to happen,” Porzingis said. “Who would believe it? But that’s the way it works. And obviously, you know, we expected there would be some changes in Boston in terms of money. But yeah, it’s going to be weird, especially this first game against Boston.”

With the Celtics in town, Porzingis and Horford will be reunited with the team they helped lead to an NBA title just two years ago. For two players who loved the city, loved their teammates, and loved their time in the iconic green and white jersey, this will be an emotional affair not only for them but for their families as well.

After his first full critique of the Warriors since the All-Star break, Horford expressed how excited he is to see all of his former teammates and coaches.

“For me, it’s very exciting,” Horford said. And, you know, my son Ian is looking forward to seeing a lot of people and seeing a lot of coaches. The whole thing is just, you know, it’s going to be good… It’s been different for us, but it’s been good. It’s been good for him, and it’s been good for us as a family.”

How the Celtics have performed since the departures of Horford and Porzingis

Like the unexpected reunion of Horford and Porzingis in Golden State, the Celtics’ season so far has been quite a surprise. With Jayson Tatum rehabbing his torn Achilles, the Celtics sacrificing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday by trading their big salaries under the second apron, and steady veteran Horford departing in free agency, this year was supposed to be a gap year for Boston to lick its wounds and reset.

Instead, the C’s sit at 35-19 on the season, which is in second place at the top of the East in the conference. Right where they were a year ago. And the year before that. This came as a surprise to all the pundits and analysts who had predicted the semi-tank. But for Horford, the Celtics’ unexpected success is no surprise.

When Horford was asked if Boston’s success this season surprised him, he replied, “No.” “Because of which [Mazzulla] And the culture that’s been established in Boston. Probably the most surprising part has been Mimi’s growth [Neemias Queta] And Jordan Walsh. “They’ve really made big steps in their development, and how they’re playing and how they’re impacting wins.”

In Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has emerged as a true number-one option, averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game. And in the holes left by Porzingis, Horford and Holiday, their youth has stepped up. Cueta, Walsh, Peyton Pritchard, Baylor Shearman, Luka Garza, guys who used to sit on the bench and watch their powerhouse team roar, have become the backbone of the Celtics’ depth.

“But overall, it’s kind of expected,” Horford continued, pointing to the underlying win expectation for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises. “That’s just what I think, Brad.” [Stevens] And Joe has done a great job there. And it’s something that’s consistent, so I’m not surprised.

Al Horford talked about what it will be like to face his old Boston Celtics tomorrow night:

“It’s very exciting. My son Ian is very excited to see a lot of people and see a lot of the coaches.”

Emphasizing that he is not surprised by their success this season. pic.twitter.com/LjdZPwIjmK

– Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) 19 February 2026

celtics reunion emotions

Reunions in the NBA aren’t always heartfelt. But for players like Horford and Porzingis, who did just as much for a team like Boston, this special reunion will be special for both parties. As he prepares for the many hugs and pats and high-fives and conversations with his old team tomorrow, Porzingis reflected on his short but productive time in Boston.

“I knew…going to Boston. It was going to be like championship expectations,” Porzingis said, explaining the pressure of playing for a historic franchise like Boston. “It’s something every player strives for [for]To be in that position…and we did it once. The second year didn’t go well, but yes, we enjoyed our time there and enjoyed every moment of it. And finally we accomplished the big objective.

“And you know how much I love playing there. Just everything. The organization, the front office, playing at TD Garden, the floor, the colors. It’s an iconic franchise, so it’ll always be a part of my memory as a special time.”

This is just the first part of the Celtics reunion, as the Warriors will still have to travel to Boston later this season, where they will get their due from rabid Celtics fans. Needless to mention, this matchup could be Porzingis’ debut in a Golden State uniform as he has been rehabbing his Achilles tendonitis throughout the break. Porzingis is listed as questionable, but he is optimistic about his chances of getting on the floor.

Either way, it’s an exciting moment for the two big guys.

“It’s exciting for me, just from the standpoint of seeing a lot of guys I care about compete on the court,” Horford said. “And it goes on. And then, kind of, being able to meet a lot of people. It’s very special to me.”

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors got a mixed injury update ahead of their first game since the All-Star break against the Boston Celtics.

Stephen Curry will miss his sixth consecutive game due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee. The Warriors hoped the All-Star break would give Curry enough time to recover from the swelling associated with this type of injury. But it appears Curry will need more time to recover, as he was unable to participate in the team’s scrimmage today.

“[Curry] Will be evaluated by our training staff tonight,” Kerr said. “But he wasn’t where he needed to be going through the scrimmage. “And so it’s unfortunate, but we’ll have an update on that tomorrow after we spend our time with the training staff tonight.”

On the bright side of things, the Warriors made Kristaps Porzingis questionable for their matchup with the Celtics. After a strong week of rehab and increasing his workload, Porzingis was able to fully acclimate with the team today, which was one of the final hurdles they had to clear before deciding whether to clear him to play. After practice, Porzingis told reporters he was feeling good ahead of his potential return.

“Feels great,” Porzingis said of his first official scrimmage with the Warriors. “I feel good on the court. I worked out a lot before the All-Star break and had a few days off, but I stayed active. Didn’t want to take some time off because I’ve barely played this season. I want to go out there, feel good, and start building on top of that and finish the year really strong.”

Porzingis was excited to be playing on Draymond Green’s team, a pairing he and the Warriors are very excited about. Porzingis said he “loved” working with Green and now understands why he is so important to Golden State.

However, this is a pair that may have to wait. Kerr did not confirm whether Porzingis would actually be available for the Celtics game. But all signs seem encouraging, especially after Porzingis gave a cheeky answer when asked if he intends to make his Warriors debut tomorrow.

“I don’t know how much I can say,” Porzingis said with a smile as he looked to the Warriors’ PR team for an idea of ​​what he could say. “But feeling good and ready to go.”

Warriors plan for Kristaps Porzingis when he returns

As with Porzingis, Kerr doesn’t have an exact vision for his minutes restriction, but estimates around the 15-minute limit. As a result, Kerr is expected to play them in short bursts as he continues to work on his recovery from injury. Porzingis shared that although he didn’t initially plan on having the kind of short burst minutes he liked being rotated in, he has adjusted to that style of minutes.

“I hated playing short spurts,” Porzingis said. “Especially coming back from something because you’re there for a short period of time, it’s almost hard to get into a rhythm. You don’t want to go in and chuck the first shot. But sometimes I do that now. So I’m coming in, you know, just having my opportunities. Gotta take them and get into a rhythm that way.”

With Porzingis, the Warriors are especially excited about what he will bring to their offense. With Butler out for the season and Curry out for the last several weeks with an injury, they will look to Porzingis to give them a new dimension.

His old Celtics teammate, now Warriors teammate, Al Horford said, “With his ability to score the ball offensively I think he’ll be able to really help us.” Despite familiarity with each other’s games, Porzingis’ role in Boston was more of a defensive enforcer rather than an offensive initiator. With warriors, they will demand more later.

“He’ll probably have more opportunities on the offensive end, especially obviously with us missing Jimmy and everything else, so I think it’s a great opportunity for him to step up offensively and have a bigger role.”

Despite this, Porzingis is slowly making his comeback as he looks to become the Dubs’ X-factor after the All-Star break.

“Again, don’t have any crazy expectations of yourself. Just one day at a time. Take the short minutes I’ll have. Build up slowly, and I’ll be fine.”