He’s again!
On May 12th, 2025, Boston stared in shock as their franchise famous person, Jayson Tatum, lay on the ground in Madison Square Garden, gripping his ankle. What was lining as much as be a run to back-to-back championships for the Celtics all got here crashing down in a single second.
Collectively, followers believed subsequent season can be a wash, and a pessimistic inhabitants of them believed in a full-on tank for one of many brightest rookie courses since 2004. The promise of AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson accompanying the Jays appeared like a fever dream.
Now, the Celtics are getting ready for an additional run – together with a revived Tatum.
Credit score: NBA Buzz-FbAn emotion-filled return for Tatum on March sixth towards New England native Cooper Flagg felt cinematic. The participant introductions had been broadcast, and followers received to witness his pregame ritual with operating mate Jaylen Brown and his son, Deuce. Slotted again into the beginning lineup, Tatum began 0-for-6 from the field, prompting concern amongst followers. An open lane led to a Tatum drive, during which he took off too early and slammed the ball into the entrance of the rim. Pre-Achilles tear, Jayson Tatum makes this dunk ten out of ten occasions. It was a bleak reminder that Achilles accidents are career-altering, a reality Tatum is properly conscious of.
Payton Pritchard had a three-pointer launch off the rim. Tatum stood in wait, grabbed the rebound, and slammed the ball house. Hanging from the rim by one arm, Boston let loose a mutual deep breath. Publish halftime, Tatum went 3-4 within the third quarter alongside 4 rebounds and an help.
A twenty-point win over a floundering Mavericks crew means little for the outlook for the Celtics. However seeing Tatum play felt relieving.
Then, the Celtics seemed forward to a brutal three-game street stretch: Cleveland, San Antonio, then Oklahoma Metropolis. Three contenders, all with stout defenses. It felt inevitable that Jayson Tatum wouldn’t play all three video games, so he was dominated out for the penultimate recreation towards the Thunder. He nonetheless produced at a serviceable degree within the first two. Versus the Cavaliers, Tatum put up 20 points, 3 rebounds, and a couple of assists in an 11-point victory. Tatum had a -3 +/-, pointing to a tough time defending Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley primarily. Two polar opposites offensively, but Tatum boasted a powerful fame as a world-class defender previous to his harm.
Offensively, Tatum meshes well with Neemias Queta on the choose and roll, one thing he discovered consistency in with former middle Luke Kornet. Whereas each Kornet and Queta are lob threats, Kornet introduced a extra calculated but stalwart skill to field out. Queta is extra bodily imposing and a rawer expertise. This can be one thing to watch going ahead, as Queta and Tatum performed sparingly collectively final season.
A loss in San Antonio highlighted the Celtics’ best flaws.
An ugly game versus the young contending Spurs confirmed what is going to forestall the Celtics from profitable one other Larry O’Brien this 12 months. Taking pictures threes even when they don’t seem to be dropping can be and has been the downfall of the Celtics. A mixed 19-51 from the arc is insurmountable, particularly towards the unmovable protection down south within the Alamo Metropolis. Queta felt unplayable towards Victor Wembanyama, and with out Nikola Vucevic, Luka Garza was pressured to play 24 minutes. Tatum shot 4-14 from three, with a ultimate stat line of 24/5/2 with 2 steals. Tatum merely couldn’t sustain with the San Antonio offense, which is liable to flying up the court docket on quick breaks.
Can the Celtics make a run within the playoffs?
It’s sophisticated.
The Celtics’ luck might run out come Could, given the matchup. Given the standings on 3/12, the Celtics would face the Sixers within the first collection, after which the winner of Cleveland-Orlando (disregarding Play-In Match outcomes). What’s most necessary is Tatum coming into his own. He’s nonetheless visibly rusty, however each recreation slowly shakes some off. He’s coming to phrases together with his lessened bodily talents.
Tatum must determine his position as some extent ahead and restrict his taking pictures to be his only self at this second. This jogs my memory of his playoff run in 2024 when the Celtics received the chip.
The Celtics have a lot scoring from Brown, White, and Pritchard that Tatum doesn’t must have 25 a recreation to have a “good recreation,” because the media would say previous to his Achilles tear.
If he might step into an Andre Iguodala-like position when it comes to distributing the basketball, perimeter protection, and tertiary scoring, the Celtics might make a deep run and doubtlessly signify the East in June.
