標籤: Tatums

The Boston Celtics played well and snapped the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 12-game winning streak 119-109 to the applause of the crowd at TD Garden on Wednesday.

The Celtics won their fifth game in six contests and improved to 48–24, maintaining a chance to seize the top seed in the Eastern Conference from the Detroit Pistons.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with a team-high 31 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum also had an all-round performance of 19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Tatum’s effort and what he has brought to the table Since returning from his Achilles injury.

“He’s given us what the game needs. He’s helping us win. That’s the only thing that matters,” Majulla said in the post-game conference.

“His rebounding has been top-notch, his ball handling, the way he started the fourth quarter, scoring, managing the game, getting better shots, he’s playing the pick and roll. He’s giving the game what it needs, and that’s the most important thing.”

“He has given us what the game needs.”

Joe Majulla on the return of Jayson Tatum’s influence 👏

(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/UpsRyRqTEb

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 March 2026

When Mazzulla isn’t busy battling Derrick White in WWE, he’s focused on praising his players and putting them in position to succeed.

The 28-year-old Tatum has been nothing but impressive in his return to action. He returned well ahead of schedule, giving the Celtics an extra boost heading into the playoffs.

Most importantly, Tatum has willingly taken a back seat to Brown, who is having an MVP-type season.

In nine games, Tatum is averaging 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.1 minutes. Mazulla didn’t even need to put it in slowly.

The Celtics will face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

The Boston Celtics have been up and down lately, losing at home to the Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening. It’s been some tough games for star Jayson Tatum, who recently suffered a brutal shooting night during a road win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and was ineffective once again in the loss to Minnesota.

However, one person who isn’t concerned with Tatum’s declining shooting numbers is former NBA wing Iman Shumpert, who took to ESPN to urge calm.

“I don’t think the Celtics should resort to feeling like this is a ‘make sure he fits in’ type of situation. … When May 1 comes, he’ll be ready,” Shumpert said, according to First Take on X, formerly of Twitter.

To reach May 1, the Celtics will have to get through the first round of the playoffs, which may not be an easy task considering the way some of the teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings are playing at the moment.

However, it is certainly unreasonable for fans to assume that Tatum will be able to regain his prime form immediately upon stepping onto the court following ten months of rehabilitation from his Achilles injury. Most importantly, Tatum has shown the ability to move relatively well laterally, and although he is still scratching the rust off his outside jumper, he seems to be fitting in well with his Celtics teammates so far.

Boston is currently the number two seed in the Eastern Conference, but they will have some work to do to stop the New York Knicks, who are playing their best basketball at the right time.

The Celtics take the field for a tough home game next Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While Devin Booker sang his praises for Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery, Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott made jokes for the Boston Celtics forward.

“I wish he wasn’t playing,” Ott joked on Twitter (formerly Twitter), via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin.

Even with the jokes, Tatum’s recovery was almost unprecedented, as most people thought he would not play in the 2025–26 season. Nevertheless, he came back at a very promising time.

The Boston Celtics are in second place in the Eastern Conference and have done a great job without Tatum. Guys like Jaylen Brown have been in MVP conversations, as well as potential Sixth Man of the Year, Peyton Pritchard’s play has improved.

Those two, the rest of the team and head coach Joe Mazzulla have held down the fort since Tatum was out. Now, the latter is finding its groove on the floor.

Still, keeping the six-time All-Star on the field as a threat is an entirely different game plan. Obviously, the numbers aren’t there, as he continues to recover and get back to real game-speed. The efficiency is not there, but it is something that will come at the appropriate time.

For Ott, the game planning looks much different than it did for the first time when the Suns and Celtics faced off. The Duke basketball standout is a nightmare for both sides.

Very big for a guard, very fast for a forward, seems like a good fit. As Phoenix tries to even up the season series, Monday’s game could be history repeating itself or a potential upset.

The Boston Celtics have seen superstar Jayson Tatum bounce back from his Achilles injury in spectacular fashion, and it’s something that has impressed LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue.

Just 10 months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot, Tatum returned to the court for the Celtics and played very well.

Tatum played surprisingly well in his return against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, recording 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes of play. Tatum recorded his first bucket on a putback dunk in the second quarter, and followed it with a corner three-pointer on the ensuing possession.

In his second game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tatum had 20 points, three rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes, including 12 points in the opening period.

LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, who hails from Mexico, Missouri and actually calls St. Louis native Jayson Tatum his cousin, talked about the return of the former six-time NBA All-Star.

“I talked to him the night before [his return against the Mavs] And he was very excited,” Lue told ClutchPoints. “He’s very excited to get back on the field because he loves the game. Just happy for him. A tough recovery, 10 months of rehab, doing all the things to get back and he very easily could have just turned around and just waited until next year, but he wanted to be on the floor, he wanted to help his team win.

“Boston is second in the East and has a real chance to win another championship, so for him to come back and be on the court shows you a lot about who he is.”

During his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyronn Lue actually revealed that Tatum is someone he considers his little cousin.

“He’s my little cousin,” Lew said in a 2016 interview. “His dad, Justin Tatum, is Larry Hughes’ best friend and they come over all the time. They’re part of my extended family, Justin, so they come over all the time and it’s crazy seeing him from when he was six or seven years old to what he is today. Seeing the player he’s become, you knew he was going to be good, but now he’s at a whole new level.”

Without superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics compiled a 41–21 record in the first 62 games of the season. Since his return, the Celtics have won two consecutive wins without much difficulty. Boston is also currently only 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons, so the Celtics are a very real possibility.

Meanwhile, Tyronn Lue’s Clippers have continued to play well after starting the season with a dreadful 6-21 record. Since December 20, the three teams with the best records are the Boston Celtics (27–10), San Antonio Spurs (27–10) and LA Clippers (26–11).

“I just feel confident,” Lue said of his team’s goals this season. “I feel confident in our players, I feel confident in our coaching staff, and I feel confident in the environment and culture we’ve set. Why wouldn’t you want to play to win? That’s our mentality, that’s my mentality every night. No matter how hard it is, if you start 6-21 or whatever, you’re playing to win. We’ll try to make the playoffs and then anything can happen. Our goal is to make the playoffs.” Is.”

The Celtics and Clippers have already played their two games against each other, so Tatum and Lue won’t see each other again this season.

After the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference clash, Jayson Tatum got props from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for recovering from his concussions, returning to the field and immediately making a big impact on the game.

“He looks good,” Mitchell said in his postgame interview following the Cavs’ 109–98 loss to the Celtics. “I think naturally there’s some hesitation. I mean, it’s been 300 days. But you can see how he started the game. Even the slow start against Dallas, it just takes a few moves — it could be an Achilles, a groin injury — you just need a few moves to be like, ‘Okay,’ and then you get back at it.”

“But he looks really good for someone [that missed] 10 months. It’s impressive.”

Tatum finished the game with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists to only one turnover in 27 minutes. He started the game by getting to his spot on the drive and finding his way to the free-throw line and, despite a slight cold, finished the day strong in the fourth quarter.

“Getting to your spots, making shots,” said Harden, who acknowledged Tatum before the matchup. “Obviously, it’s important for them to keep them in the mix, but they just do an incredible job of creating advantages; a well-coached team, and they played well today.

“I just told him, you look at a young guy, especially of that caliber, who has had a lot of success and won championships, and then, boom, adversity comes along. That mentality of not letting anything slow him down and stop him, and then he comes back, first game back, he plays well; tonight, he plays well. I think that’s a motivation in itself.”

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson treated this meeting with the Celtics as if Tatum was fully healthy, admitting that it would be difficult to evaluate where he is now versus where he could be in a month or two in the postseason.

With this result, Boston increased its record to 43–21, and moved closer to the East’s top seed, the suddenly slipping Detroit Pistons. The Celtics added to their lead over Cleveland, now leading by four in the standings.

With Tatum back in the mix, and plenty of firepower around him and Jaylen Brown, there’s no telling how far they can take this. The Cavs will definitely be preparing for this.

“He changes the game,” Evan Mobley said. “He’s a great player. Instead of just focusing more on Brown, you have to focus on both now. It’s definitely a different dynamic, and we’ll be ready for it.”

Harden even said that Cleveland could look to Boston as a prime example of who it should aspire to be in the postseason.

“I told everybody, that’s the standard,” Harden said. “That’s standard. Part of the game of basketball is missing and making shots, but, like, our competitive nature to a game, our competitive spirit — whether we’re making shots or not — that’s what we do. And we forced the game to take over. And I think in the second half, we found something in ourselves.

“Being in my 10th or 11th game here, this is the level we’ve got to get to, Boston. And once we get there – because I know we’re good enough, we’ll get there – then we’ll be a better team. If we’re making shots, we’re going to shut teams out. Tonight we didn’t make shots, and we still gave ourselves chances. So it’s that simple.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics for a primetime matchup on Sunday afternoon in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics controlled the game from start to finish, in fact, outside of the Cavaliers’ early 8-point lead. The Celtics would bounce back quickly and take a 26-point lead in the third quarter. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Peyton Pritchard are not going to let the Cavs come from behind to win games. The Celtics would hold on for a 109-98 victory as Cleveland would do everything possible to come back.

The Celtics are now 43-21 in the East, and the Cavs are 39-25, four games back and two games behind the New York Knicks. The C’s are now just three games behind the Detroit Pistons, who face the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Brown was the star of the game for the Celtics and had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win. Brown is having one of the best seasons in Celtics history, and could be an MVP candidate by the end of the season.

In 27 minutes, Tatum scored 20 points on 6-16 shooting with three rebounds and two assists. The returning superstar scored 12 points in the first quarter and gave himself and the team a lot of confidence heading into that important match. The Celtics are 3-0 against Cleveland this season, and have won the season series, giving them the playoff tiebreaker over the Cavs if they need it.

Tatum hit a dagger triple at the end of the fourth quarter to secure the victory for the Celtics. The Cavs weren’t going out quietly, and the Celtics needed to hit a few more shots to stay put.

what goes up 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TNLwVXlUJC

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 8 March 2026

With JT back, hitting shots like this could get the league in trouble. This Celtics team has been the better team in the Eastern Conference since 2021, and they have more experience than anyone in the East. Paul Pierce thinks his former Celtics will win the East this season with Tatum’s return.

“He’s back,” Pierce said in a sing-song voice while recording Tatum’s postgame interview. “The East is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”

Nikola Vucevic’s injury is serious, but he will be back before the playoffs start. This Celtics team is very deep for Tatum, and as mentioned above, will benefit from experience.

The Celtics have owned the Cavs all season, and even though Cleveland will be a threat in the playoffs, they have shown no signs of being able to beat Boston in a 7-game series. The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are the only two real threats to the Celtics this season. If Boston is able to continue what they have, they could even pass the Pistons in the standings and steal home-court advantage from them. If Detroit loses to Miami on Sunday, the Celtics will remain just 2.5 games behind the East leaders.

This team faces two more big tests on the road next week against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Celtics manage to win one of those two games, you can consider it a mini road trip win for them. If Boston wins both of those games, their NBA Finals chances will skyrocket. The C’s are already the clear favorite to win the East at every sportsbook.

If you remain skeptical of this Celtics team, you may want to think again.

The energy inside the TD Garden on Friday night was unlike anything the Boston Celtics had experienced all season. After a grueling 10-month absence due to an Achilles injury, Jayson Tatum finally made his long-awaited season debut, and it felt like the missing piece of the puzzle was back in place.

While fans were losing their minds, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered an especially profound perspective on this moment. Reflecting on his superstar comeback journey, Mazzulla said these are career-defining moments. “That’s why you coach,” Mazzulla said. “Being a part of someone else’s story and having someone be a part of your story.”

“This is why you train… to be a part of someone else’s story and for someone to be a part of your story” 🙌

Joe Mazzulla reflects on being part of Jayson Tatum’s journey as he works to return from injury. pic.twitter.com/O3dI4ZE5XJ

– NBA TV (@NBATV) 7 March 2026

Jayson Tatum really reminded the league what they’re missing. Tatum logged 27 minutes and looked remarkably sharp, scoring 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting. He demonstrated his trademark versatility by adding 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal, helping the Boston Celtics demolish the Dallas Mavericks in a 120–100 blowout. His rhythm appeared seamless, especially from the perimeter where he knocked down three triples.

The supporting cast ensured that Tatum’s return ended in a “W.” Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 24 points, while Neemias Queta
Reinforced the interior with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, on the other hand, finished with 16 points in his homecoming, but was no match for Boston’s new team.

The road back for Tatum was filled with tough rehabilitation and mental hurdles, but Friday night proved he hasn’t lost a step. With their cornerstone in place, the Celtics are not only looking toward a deep playoff run, but they’re also looking to the rafters.

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.

BOSTON – Dozens of media members crowded around the practice court’s baseline at the Auerbach Center on Friday morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who was officially upgraded to questionable after being listed out (due to an Achilles rupture) for the Green team’s first 62 games of the 2025-26 campaign. However, Tatum remained in the weight room and largely out of sight of the many cameras aimed at him.

Jayson Tatum talks to Derrick White while working out at the Auerbach Center: pic.twitter.com/LZUnypLOOa

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

Celtics wing Sam Houser was the journeyman in the media arena. He was immediately mobbed by reporters eager for any updates on Tatum ahead of the Celtics’ Friday night showdown with the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Although Houser didn’t say whether Tatum would play in less than 12 hours, he did praise him.

“Obviously he’s a really great player, great guy,” he told the media. “He does a lot of things on the basketball court that are very difficult, but he makes it look really easy.”

Sam Hauser on Jayson Tatum and what he could add to the Celtics this season:

“He takes a lot of things on the basketball court that are hard, and makes them look very easy.” pic.twitter.com/wuOsnvHs5c

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

Without Tatum, the Celtics have posted a 41–21 record and are in second place in the Eastern Conference. These facts alone make it an impressive season for the C’s, but as always, they want a ring – and for that they need their missing piece.

“We only have 20 games left, so whenever that happens, it’s going to be a quick process,” Hauser said of reinserting Tatum into the lineup. “And as much grace as you want for that, we really don’t have that luxury.”

Returning from an Achilles injury is no joke in the NBA, and returning so late in the regular season presents another unique challenge. However, Hauser was not too concerned about acclimating Tatum.

“He’s been around [practice]So I think he’ll be able to fit right in,” he said. “We’ll be able to fit around him.”

There is no precedent for a second-place team adding a six-time All-Star to its roster in the midst of a playoff push. Hauser, like many of his peers, welcomed the relatively new obstacle.

He said, “We all have to figure it out right away, and it’s a good thing for us to solve the problem whenever it comes up, and sort things out on our own.” “But I think, overall, it’s positive.”

For now, Tatum is still questionable, but it’s worth noting that he said months ago that he planned to come back from the injury at home. Following Friday’s home game against the Mavericks, the Celtics will embark on a three-game road trip and will not return to Beantown until March 14.

Whether or not Tatum returns home soon, or whether he gets back on the court at all, won’t affect Hauser’s high opinion of him.

“He’s humble in who he is, his approach every day,” Hauser complimented. “He works hard, gets himself treated, he’s a good person, he’s a good father. I think that says a lot more than just the player.”

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum may be close to making his return to the lineup, and former Celtics center Kendrick Perkins believes the rest of the league should take notice.

Tatum was upgraded to questionable ahead of Boston’s Friday matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the first time he has earned that designation this season since suffering an Achilles injury last year. The development has sparked renewed discussion about Boston’s championship outlook as the forward moves into the final stages of his recovery.

Perkins addressed Tatum’s potential return during the latest episode of The Road Trippin’ Show, explaining that he believes Boston becomes significantly more dangerous once the All-Star forward re-enters the rotation.

“If you hear Tatum coming back you have to be scared. They’re playing with house money. They have the most championship experience in the Eastern Conference. If I’m Tatum, and these five-on-fives are going well, damn it, I’m coming back. Because look every player is different. I’m not blaming it on the players, but as we all know as athletes when you get injured, as a player you “Being aware of who you are, accountability and what you do and what you put into your body speeds up the healing process.”

Perkins also shared details he said came from Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell regarding Tatum’s approach to rehab.

“There are two things I know about Jason Tatum: He doesn’t smoke and he doesn’t drink. Sam Cassel told me during this whole process that they literally had to tell him no, you can’t come today. Give us Sunday off. We’ve been with you six days a week, twice a day. You can’t come today.”

Celtics call Jayson Tatum ‘most dangerous team’ as he nears return

Perkins concluded by emphasizing how motivated Tatum could be to see Boston continue to compete near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

“This team feels like they can go and they’ve got a chance. It’s unexpected when you have that window. Jayson Tatum is on the outside looking in, he’s eager to get back on the floor. They’re the most dangerous team in the league.”

Tatum finished the 2024–25 season averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, six assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range in 72 appearances. He averaged 36.4 minutes per contest before suffering an Achilles injury during Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks last May.

Despite Tatum’s absence this season, Boston remains among the top teams in the conference. Jaylen Brown has led this effort, and has had a career-best campaign, guiding the Celtics to a 41-21 record and the No. 2 seed in the East.

Brown averaged 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, five assists and one steal per game, while shooting 48% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range in 55 games.

The Celtics will look to bounce back from Wednesday’s 118-89 loss to the Charlotte Hornets when they host Dallas on Friday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. Boston will then begin a three-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET on ABC.

With Tatum’s potential return, Boston’s postseason outlook could soon take another significant step forward.

On Thursday, the NBA world was shocked when Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was upgraded to questionable for the team’s upcoming game against the Dallas Mavericks. Tatum has not played yet this season as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs, and if he plays on Friday, it will be one of the quickest recoveries the league has ever seen.

Recently, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony adopted 7pm in Brooklyn Podcast to describe how he thinks Tatum should approach his return, now that Jaylen Brown has taken over as the team’s leader this year.

“Now it’s like JT, what are you going to sacrifice? But now I’ve held down the fort for you and the entire organization. JT has to be very mature about this situation. This is no ego, no pride. We got a chance to come back and win a championship. So I have to put my pride and ego aside for the next 3 months and let JB continue to steer the ship,” Anthony said.

One person who doesn’t agree with those comments is Tatum’s trainer, Drew Hanlen.

“The irony of Carmelo Anthony trying to tell Jayson Tatum how to win…” Hanlen, formerly of the Ax, wrote on Twitter.

In fact, Tatum already has a far more accomplished postseason resume than Anthony has accomplished in his career, though he was certainly drafted under very different circumstances.

Ironically, Anthony’s arrogance was seen as a negative trait throughout his career, as his tendency to dominate the ball in halfcourt settings was often at the expense of his teammates’ shots.

Still, there will clearly be an adjustment period for the Celtics as Tatum takes the court, and it will be interesting to see how Brown’s usage is affected by the return.

The Mavericks and Celtics are scheduled to tip off on Friday at 7:00 PM ET.

Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown has led his team to one of the best records in the NBA this season without Jayson Tatum, which for JR Smith means this is no longer Tatum’s team. With Tatum’s potential return to the Celtics, many wonder how Boston will adjust to Jason Tatum’s midseason debut.

while brown have been leaders For the Celtics this season, that’s been their title for Jaylen for years, Smith said, according to To The Baha.

“It’s always been his team. Jaylen Brown. He’s the leader. Isn’t he? First of all, he protects everybody. It’s always been his team. It’s his team,” Smith said. “To the players, I’m sure it’s their team; to everyone else in the media on the outside, it’s Jayson Tatum’s team. That’s the way they want to show it. Internally, it’s Jaylen Brown’s team.

“Jaylen Brown is the leader of that team. 100 percent on and off the court. Fact. I guarantee you he commands more film sessions, practices than JT. He’s the leader of that team.”

“It’s always been his team. Jaylen Brown. He’s the leader. Isn’t he? … To the players, I’m pretty sure it’s his team; to everybody else in the media on the outside, it’s Jayson Tatum’s team.”

– JR Smith 🤔

(via @ToTheBaha)pic.twitter.com/mnELzcwFk9

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 4 March 2026

In Brown and Tatum’s second NBA Finals appearance in two years, Brown won the 2024 Finals MVP award after capturing his first title.

NBA insider says Jayson Tatum will need to adjust to new Celtics

NBA insider Chris Mannix believes the Celtics are Jaylen Brown’s team who will have to accommodate Jayson Tatum if he returns from his nearly season-long Achilles injury. Tatum has to do it slowly work your way back Mannix said, according to FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, linking up with the Browns and the Celtics.

“I think [Jayson] Tatum knows that by coming back he is stepping into Jaylen Brown’s team. “Brown is a top-five, top-six MVP candidate this year,” Mannix said. “He’s put this team on his back offensively.” And Tatum will have to find a way to fit in.

This is Jaylen Brown’s team now 👀

With the pending return of Jayson Tatum, @SIChrisMannix I don’t think there is a chemistry problem.

Tatum knows this is Brown’s team. pic.twitter.com/wgMkvmJHDF

– Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) 4 March 2026

In 54 games played, Brown is averaging 29 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 5 assists per game with one steal. He is shooting 48% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. He has been the catalyst for the Celtics’ success as they have kept themselves in the news as NBA title contenders.

BOSTON – No matter how much the Boston Celtics have accomplished on the court this season, there will always be discussion about what’s happening off the court. or rather, Who is off the court, because Celtics fans just want to know one thing: When is star forward Jayson Tatum coming back?

While no one in Tatum’s camp has confirmed whether the six-time All-Star will return to play this season after suffering an Achilles injury in May, there are multiple outside reports speculating he will return before the 2026 NBA Playoffs begin.

A possible clue lies in the making of “The Quiet Work”, a five-episode documentary from Zero Pressure Productions (a new production company owned by Tatum), which chronicles Tatum’s recovery and eventual return to action. The existence of this short series suggests that the 27-year-old, who turns 28 on Tuesday, could be suiting up for the green team soon.

Tonight, the first episode of “The Quiet Work” airs on NBC.

Jayson Tatum and his mother, Brandi, both released official statements on the “minisodes” coming soon pic.twitter.com/4dovWaHMzV

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 22 February 2026

And perhaps the release schedule of “The Quiet Work” confirms that theory.

Why is Jayson Tatum’s documentary ahead of schedule?

In a February 22 press release from Zero Pressure Productions and their broadcast partner, NBC Sports, it was announced that five minisodes documenting Tatum’s mental and physical journey “will air on a weekly basis.”

This was initially the case with the first two episodes, as Episode 1 was released on February 22 before the Celtics’ emphatic win over the rival Los Angeles Lakers and Episode 2 was released on March 1 before the Celtics’ Sunday night win over another rival – the Philadelphia 76ers.

There is a clear weekly pattern outlined in the press release. However, after Boston’s home win against Philly, NBC removed Episode 3 and Tatum later posted it to his YouTube account on Monday afternoon.

So, why the sudden change? If Tatum’s rehab process turns out to be true to the documentary, is it almost over?

These questions remain unanswered, but given the repeated references to a return in Episode 3 and the commercials around Boston announcing his return to action, it seems Tatum could potentially play during the 2025-26 campaign.

On the way to the game…⏳ pic.twitter.com/ICflajv7dE

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 1 March 2026

Of course, recovery is a fickle thing, especially with an Achilles injury. And while the Celtics would obviously love to have Tatum back in the lineup, they’ve won enough that they don’t need to rush the process. Boston is now 40-20 overall, in second place in the Eastern Conference, and just two wins off last season’s pace, when Tatum was healthy and the Celtics were loaded with talent.

In Tatum’s absence, Celtics star Jaylen Brown has taken up the load. He became an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the first time in his career this season and led the Sixers with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes on Sunday.

“I think we did a good job of being unselfish and playing Celtics basketball,” Brown said after Boston’s 40th win. “I think we’re starting to figure it out. Tonight was a team win. Everybody did their job. When you’re doing that, it makes you more dangerous.”

Although the Celtics have overachieved beyond most pundits and pre-season projections, they are still a team with a missing piece. They won’t be full on Monday night when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, but maybe they can be full again before March ends.

If you’re wondering who Cedric Maxwell was referring to, @SeanGrandePBP He said he was pointing at Jayson Tatum and saying, “You’re next.” https://t.co/5rALcdYw3a

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 2 March 2026

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.

The Boston Celtics came out of the All-Star break with another blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday as they continued their West Coast trip. The win came as the team awaits further updates on injured star Jayson Tatum, who many doubt can return any time soon this season.

However, one person who thinks the Celtics can reach their goal this season regardless of whether Tatum is in the lineup is former ESPN big man Kendrick Perkins, who recently took to First Take to express his thoughts.

“They can go to the NBA Finals without [Jayson] Tatum. … They’re the most dangerous team in the NBA because they have no expectations,” Perkins, formerly of First Take on X, said via Twitter.

Perkins also said that Boston has “the best two-way player in the game in Jaylen Brown, because no other player in the league is doing what he is doing in terms of being top five in scoring and top five defensively in opponent field goal percentage.”

In fact, Brown is getting it done on both ends of the floor this year, although fans of Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama and many other players will strongly disagree with Perkins’ assessment.

Still, at this juncture, the Celtics are starting to look like a real threat even without Tatum in the lineup. There is a theory that Tatum’s hasty return this season could actually work against Boston’s 2025-26 plans, considering the team’s rhythm would be at least temporarily disrupted, and the fact that the star would have a lot of rust to shake off. Tatum also has not distinguished himself as a postseason performer so far in his career, which continued last year against the New York Knicks.

In any case, the Celtics’ road trip continues on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

Fans are speculating whether Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will see action this season as he recovers from his Achilles injury.

Multiple reports say Tatum is on track and ahead of schedule. He has accomplished several feats, including participating in controlled 5‑on‑5 scrimmages and working out with teammates.

The 27-year-old Tatum has touted his progress, but recently backtracked on his previous view that he could suit up this season, saying he needed to reevaluate his situation.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Tatum was practicing ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. But when asked if the six-time All-Star participated, Mazzulla had the all-time response, as shown in a video posted by CLNS.

Did Jayson Tatum practice yesterday?

“He was at practice?”

Did he participate?

*stares*@CLNSMedia | Why: @RealBobManning pic.twitter.com/SOLMYuzu4J

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 22 February 2026

Silence usually means yes. But Mazzulla is as difficult to read in Latin as Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”, so it’s hard to say whether he actually alluded to anything.

Why waste energy on words when you can always look deep into someone’s soul and make them question their existence?

If anything, Majulla is tired of answering questions about Tatum, who suffered a debilitating injury against the New York Knicks in last season’s playoffs.

Whatever his wordless response actually meant, it’s clear the Celtics are doing just fine without Tatum. They defeated the Lakers 111–89 to improve to 37–19, including 8–2 in their last 10 games.

Jaylen Brown is playing at an MVP level, earning his keep from even LeBron James. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta have been consistent contributors, while the addition of Nikola Vucevic has made them even stronger.

The Celtics will take a look at the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Jayson Tatum’s return to the court is in the near future. The Boston Celtics are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons, with a chance to advance them before the regular season ends. The Celtics will want home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and with Tatum returning, they’ll have a ton of momentum.

Tatum is working to recover from his Achilles tendon injury. These injuries are occurring frequently, but many have not been able to bounce back as better players. Tatum is looking to avoid those obstacles.

On Saturday, the Celtics posted some photos of Tatum at practice, and one photo of him going viral as he was being defended by Luka Garza.

Another day of work pic.twitter.com/EJD0iT58rP

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 21 February 2026

There aren’t too many images or videos of Tatum playing against contact. He has been attending games and practicing for a long time, but the superstar is still making progress. There is no legitimate report of his return this regular season, but if the Celtics really want him back this season, it would make sense for him to debut before the playoffs.

Chris Haynes revealed what Tatum told him recently. “I’m trying to come back… I don’t know if that’s the case or not,” Tatum told Haynes.

Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in May 2025, so a return in less than a year would be incredible for him. The playoffs don’t start until mid-April, so Tatum still has plenty of time to work his way back and make a final decision on whether he’ll return this season or next.

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.