Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum's Return and Impact
In Boston, Jayson Tatum is showing flashes of his old self, and it's a sight for sore eyes. Last week against San Antonio, Tatum found himself matched up with Victor Wembanyama.
With a quick jab-step, he breezed past for an easy layup, contributing to his 14 second-half points. This was crucial, especially with Jaylen Brown ejected and Derrick White limited by a knee contusion.
Tatum stepped up, scoring 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics tried to rally from a 13-point deficit.
Reflecting on his return, Tatum said, “Compared to the first game, I feel a lot more relaxed. Each game, I’m finding more moments where I feel confident and explosive. It’s those little plays that boost my confidence.”
Tatum continued his strong performance with a 20-point game against the Wizards, shooting 6-for-10 inside the arc. While his three-point shooting remains a work in progress at 27.5% since returning, Boston has been cautious with his minutes, limiting him to 27 minutes per game initially. However, he played a crucial five-minute stretch in the fourth quarter as the Wizards closed in from a 30-point deficit.
Tatum’s third-quarter presence was significant, hitting all four of his two-point attempts despite struggling from deep. It's clear he's still shaking off some rust, but he's testing his limits and gradually finding his rhythm. His start against the Wizards mirrored his debut, going scoreless for 21 minutes before finding his groove with free throws and a mid-range jumper.
Coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized Tatum's focus on the fundamentals, saying, “Reading two-on-ones, executing, defensively rebounding, understanding personnel-those details matter. Right now, he’s giving the game what it needs on both sides.”
Tatum's stats-25.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per 36 minutes-reflect his potential impact, even if his 40% shooting doesn’t. Defensively, he's been tasked with guarding top players like Donovan Mitchell and has been involved in numerous pick-and-rolls, nearly matching his previous season’s average. Despite his mixed results, the Celtics have outscored opponents by 13.4 points per 100 possessions with Tatum on the court.
His defensive prowess is evident with a 100.4 defensive rating, leading the team. Offensively, the Celtics are still finding their groove with him, posting a 113.8 rating during his stretches. The focus remains on integrating Tatum’s skill set without disrupting team dynamics.
Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, has maintained his focus, saying, “My mindset is to help the team win, whatever it takes.” The Celtics have the flexibility to stagger lineups, and Brown-led lineups have been effective, posting a +5.0 net rating since Tatum’s return.
Individually, Tatum’s numbers show room for growth. He’s driving less, spending less time on the ball, and his free throw attempts have dropped. However, his shot selection remains consistent with previous seasons.
Despite the slow starts, Tatum has shown he can quickly turn it around, posting double-doubles in his first games back at TD Garden. Coach Mazzulla highlighted Tatum’s all-around contributions, saying, “He’s playing great basketball, and it’s not just about the points. He’s helping us win.”
As Tatum continues to regain his form, the Celtics are poised to benefit from his leadership and versatility.