標籤: shouts

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.

Vince Carter understands the challenges that come with being the face of Canadian basketball. The Toronto Raptors will never leave hockey behind and are often out of the spotlight within the NBA landscape, so it takes a certain type of player to lead the franchise. The 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee believes Scotty Barnes is occupying that role brilliantly this season.

Although Brandon Ingram is the team’s top scorer, the No. 4 is still widely considered the cornerstone of the Raptors. Carter praised his ability to remain impressive while also adjusting to fellow game-changers.

“I want to give Scottie his flowers,” he told reporters in Toronto before Tuesday night’s showdown with the New York Knicks, according to TSN’s Josh Levenberg. “This was his team for a long time. He was willing to make sacrifices for the good of BI coming in and his own survival. And look what he did. He still became an All-Star. He also brought another All-Star with him… So, it’s just a sacrifice for the good of the team. Yes, the numbers went down, but the accolades are coming your way now.”

T-Mac thinks the Raptors can win a playoff series and shows some love for VC Barnes. “I want to give Scotty his flowers.” pic.twitter.com/n8Yw0kiue

-Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) 4 March 2026

Barnes has yet to ascend to true superstardom, with his 29.1 shooting percentage from 3-point range serving as a hindrance in such a situation, but he’s still an undeniable difference-maker on one of the breakout teams this season. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting a career-high 50.1 percent from the field. He’s also a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, having proven himself to be a two-way force in the Great White North.

Scottie Barnes now has to figure out how he can lead the Raptors (35-25) into the next stage of their development. The team is currently two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto will have a steep hill to climb if it draws the Cavs, Knicks or Boston Celtics in the early rounds of the playoffs (the latter is unlikely to face the first-place Detroit Pistons), but this group could still be dangerous.

The former No. 4 overall draft pick is filling the Raptors with needed intensity. If he can continue to step up and lead, Toronto will have a tough competition in the 2026 postseason. Vince Carter will be watching closely.