Jayson Tatum’s latest honor is more than another line on a résumé. It’s another sign that the Celtics star is back in a big way.
On Monday, Tatum was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after helping Boston go 4-0. He averaged 30.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists during the stretch, and he delivered in the biggest moments too, knocking down a game-winning overtime buzzer-beater against the Nets on Tuesday night before coming through late in Orlando on Sunday.
That makes 14 Player of the Week awards for Tatum, which moves him into third place in Celtics history behind only Larry Bird, who has 15, and Paul Pierce, who has 17. If Tatum keeps stacking up weeks like this, he has a real chance to move to the top of that list by season’s end.
What stands out most is how complete his game has looked through six games this season. After missing most of the 2025-26 season with an Achilles tear, there was plenty of uncertainty about what Tatum would look like when he came back. He returned in March and played well, and he had already picked up an Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor last season, but it still didn’t feel like he had fully taken the reins again.
That has changed quickly. Boston is 5-1, and Tatum has been the driving force behind it. He’s playing like an MVP candidate and, more importantly, like the player the Celtics need him to be every night.
The shot hasn’t fully come around yet, and it hasn’t really mattered. Tatum’s passing and playmaking have been better than ever, he’s getting to the rim and to the line often, and his defense has stayed sharp. He’s doing the little things and the big things, too, and that’s been the difference.
In a lot of ways, this looks like the old Tatum. In another, it feels like something new.
For the first time, the Celtics are clearly his team, and everyone around him is fitting into that reality. The early returns have been strong, and with each game, Tatum seems to be growing more comfortable in his body, with his teammates, and with his game.
He’s already put himself back on track for top All-NBA recognition, and if the shot starts falling the way it usually does, the ceiling gets even higher. Right now, Tatum and the Celtics look like they’re just getting started.
In Other News...
Celtics Face A Brutal Energy Test On The Road Tonight
The Celtics head to Toyota Center tonight looking to keep their early-season momentum rolling after a win over the Orlando Magic, with a chance to move to 6-1. Even with Boston dealing with absences, this is the kind of road spot that asks plenty of a teams legs and focus, especially against a Houston group that has had its own injury and G League-related turnover.
Houston has still found production from its top end, with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun giving the Rockets a sturdy foundation despite the missing pieces around them. For Boston, the challenge is less about the opponents availability and more about matching the energy level from the opening tip, because a night like this can turn quickly if the Celtics are even a step slow. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Pritchard Is Becoming A Real Celtics Ceiling Question
Payton Pritchard has already shown this season why the Celtics believe he can swing a game off the bench. Boston is 5-1, and Pritchard has been part of that start as a secondary scoring option who can change the tone in a hurry when his shot is falling. Through six games, he is averaging 15 points and 3.5 assists, numbers that reflect both his value and the role he has settled into as one of the teams most important reserve guards.
The issue for Boston is less about whether Pritchard can help and more about how often he can do it. He has flashed real scoring pop in a couple of games, but the Celtics need a steadier version of him if they want their offense to hold up against the leagues best teams. For a roster with championship expectations, the question around Pritchard is becoming part of the larger ceiling conversation, because Boston will need more than occasional bursts if it wants his impact to match its ambitions. [Read more 🡒]
Luka Garza Just Gave Celtics Fans A Real Rotation Debate
Luka Garza gave the Celtics something they did not always have in a rough offensive night: a frontcourt option who could space the floor. He scored 14 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, which stood out in a game where Boston had trouble getting much going and Houston dictated the action with its work inside and in transition.
For a team still sorting out its big-man mix, Garzas shooting touch adds a wrinkle the coaching staff has to weigh as the rotation gets revisited. The loss left Boston with more questions than answers, but it also offered a reminder that there may be another way to use the frontcourt if the Celtics want more perimeter punch from that group. [Read more 🡒]