The Boston Celtics have quietly turned into one of the NBA’s most compelling stories this season-and they’ve done it without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum. Sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, Boston has found a way to thrive in his absence, thanks in large part to Jaylen Brown, who’s playing like a man on a mission.
Brown has elevated his game to near-MVP levels, carrying the offensive load with a confidence and consistency that’s been crucial to Boston’s success. But this isn’t a one-man show. The supporting cast has stepped up in a big way-Derrick White continues to be one of the most underrated two-way guards in the league, and Payton Pritchard has provided a steady spark off the bench, doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score but make a big difference in the win column.
Tatum, of course, has been sidelined since tearing his Achilles last May during Boston’s stunning playoff collapse against the Knicks. It was a gut punch for a team with championship aspirations, and the road back for Tatum has been long and grueling. But on Monday, there was a flicker of hope.
Prior to Boston’s matchup against the Pistons in Detroit, video surfaced of Tatum getting some work in during pregame warmups. The footage, shared by Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, showed Tatum moving well-enough to get Celtics fans buzzing about a potential return.
The online reaction was instant and optimistic, with some fans speculating he could be back as soon as the first game after the All-Star break. While that remains to be seen, the fact that he’s back on the court in any capacity is a positive sign.
And here’s the thing: the Celtics don’t need to rush him. That’s the beauty of how this team is playing.
They’ve built a cushion in the standings, they’re finding rhythm without their best player, and they’re getting major contributions from across the roster. It’s a luxury few contenders have.
Monday night’s game in Detroit offers a chance to see how Boston stacks up against the top team in the East. The Celtics are coming off a dominant road win over the Atlanta Hawks, where Jaylen Brown exploded for 41 points in just three quarters-a performance that underscored how locked in he’s been.
Sam Hauser also caught fire, dropping 30 points and hitting 10 of his 21 three-point attempts. When role players are putting up those kinds of numbers, it’s a sign that the system is working.
If Tatum does return this season-and again, that’s still a big “if”-Boston could very well become the team to beat in the East. Even without him, they’re already in that conversation. The defense is sharp, the ball movement is crisp, and the roster is playing with a blend of urgency and confidence that’s hard to manufacture.
Tip-off against the Pistons is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, and while the standings suggest this is a heavyweight matchup, the Celtics are entering with momentum and belief.
Jayson Tatum getting a full workout in at Celtics shootaround here in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/Lyu4Vne4hp
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) January 19, 2026
The potential return of Tatum only adds to the intrigue. This team isn’t just surviving without its star-it’s thriving.
And that should have the rest of the league on high alert.