Jayson Tatum returned from injury in early March and has progressed into full action, with Boston noting his integration has gone particularly well as the postseason approaches. Head coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the star forward’s impact on both ends of the floor, including offensive reads, rebounding, and competitive edge.
Mazzulla described Tatum’s return as a timely boost, emphasizing how he has reinvented his game and contributed to the Celtics’ depth during a critical stretch. Boston entered the playoffs with a strong regular season, even after the Achilles setback that sidelined Tatum for much of last year’s campaign.
In the 16 games he has played this season, Tatum has averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, showing progress toward his elite-level form while easing back into a heavy workload alongside fellow star Jaylen Brown.
Brown finished with a career-high season, amplifying his scoring and overall production as Boston secured the East’s No. 2 seed. He was cleared to return after missing two of the final three regular-season games, adding another layer of stability to a Celtics squad viewed as a strong playoff contender.
Together, Tatum and Brown position Boston as a prominent favorite to advance through the Eastern Conference, with the Celtics looking to leverage their star power and depth as they open the playoffs against Philadelphia.
