標籤: nod

It looks like the Boston Celtics are on the verge of seeing Jayson Tatum return after suffering a setback during last year’s playoffs.

According to The Stein Report on Substack, Marc Stein, a veteran basketball writer, believes in a “conspiracy theory” as to when and why Tatum will return. Basically, Tatum would like to return to the Celtics’ games on NBC.

“PPS – Boston has games March 10 (at San Antonio) and March 22 (home game against Minnesota) on NBC. If you buy the conspiracy theory that Jayson Tatum wants to make his comeback from an Achilles tear the network is running extended coverage behind the scenes of his rehab.”

However, media personality Bill Simmons believes Tatum will return much earlier on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Tatum suffered an Achilles injury during the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks last May. A series in which the Celtics lost in six games.

Tatum finished last season averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.

Currently, the Celtics have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 40–20. At the same time, they have won eight of their last ten matches.

Tatum won an NBA championship with Boston in 2024. He is also a 6-time NBA All-Star and was the 2023 NBA All-Star Game MVP.

Additionally, he has won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024.

Tatum has been with Boston since the 2017–18 NBA season as the third overall pick out of Duke.

Cade Cunningham is having arguably the best season of his career so far, as he leads the Detroit Pistons to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference through 57 games. Shaquille O’Neal believes Cunningham deserves the MVP award because he is playing so well. Even higher than Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.

During a segment on “ESPN Tip-Off,” Shaq believed the 24-year-old guard is one of the most “complete” players in the league at the moment. The former veteran center turned NBA analyst likes the way Cunningham plays and believes he deserves the MVP trophy for helping make the Pistons a true contender once again.

“I watched [Cunningham] Play the next day, and he has a complete game,” Shack said. “He does everything right. More often than not, he gets everything right all the time. The way he plays, his speed, how he’s playing, and [the Pistons] Found that form. Kenny, you know what I’m talking about. Like, ‘We’re on a mission this year.’

“[Cade] Fixes everything. “Not right most of the time, but he gets everything right all the time.”@SHAQ Discusses why he thinks Cade Cunningham should be MVP

Watch Cavs-Pistons All-Access at 7 ET on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8x6AlpxB1V

– ESPN (@espn) 27 February 2026

The fifth-year veteran earned his second All-Star award this season, as he has been one of the most efficient players in the league so far. Through 51 games played, Cade Cunningham has averaged 25.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 9.8 assists (career-high), and 1.5 steals (career-high) per contest, while shooting 45.9% from the floor and 33.9% from beyond the three-point line.

Cunningham and the Pistons reached the playoffs last season, but were ultimately eliminated by the New York Knicks in the first round. This was the first playoff appearance for the franchise since the 2018–19 season. This year, Detroit is playing like they have something to prove, and the performance of Cade Cunningham is playing a big factor in their success.

The Detroit Pistons emerged victorious in a highly anticipated battle of the NBA’s top two teams on Wednesday as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-116 at Little Caesars Arena.

Cade Cunningham was a big contributor for the Pistons, who improved to 43-14, including 23-7 at home. He scored 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, four rebounds, 13 assists, three steals and three blocks. However, they had a game-high eight turnovers.

Nevertheless, his all-round effort was enough to lead Detroit to the victory. He has now had three blocks in each of his last three games. When asked about it, Cunningham pointed to LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The two-time All-Star said, “I’ve always enjoyed knocking things down and getting blocks. I watched LeBron a lot growing up, so I think it’s something I’ve always been very good at.”

“You know, a little bit of playing hoops and stuff, so that’s always been a part of my game, and it’s finally coming to the NBA.”

“I watched LeBron a lot [James] “Growing up.”

Cade Cunningham speaks on his 3 block against the Thunder tonight

(via @nba)
pic.twitter.com/1xycibUjUY

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

Of course, James is known for his pursuit disapproval, and he should be thrilled to know that Cunningham was inspired by his trademark move.

The 24-year-old Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals, along with a career-best 0.9 blocks this season. He has really become a well-rounded player over the last few years, knowing he needs to step up to help the Pistons climb out of the basement.

Cunningham, who was recently asked about his aura, has often acknowledged his responsibilities as Detroit’s go-to man, and it is not within him to contribute much on defense.