On Friday night, the Boston Celtics will play the Dallas Mavericks (at home).
The Celtics are coming off a 118-89 loss (also at home) to the Charlotte Hornets.
Celtics Make Jayson Tatum Announcement
UPDATE: Jayson Tatum is available.
UPDATE: Jayson Tatum still remains questionable at 12 P.M. Eastern Time.
After missing the entire first half of the season due to injury, it’s been announced that Jayson Tatum will be questionable for Friday’s showdown with Dallas.
Keith Smith of Spotrac wrote: “Jayson Tatum is Questionable to play tomorrow vs the Mavericks, per the Celtics.”
NBA World Reacts To Incredible News
Here’s what people around the NBA world had to say about the news:
Rachel Nichols: “So important for the Celtics, their fans and Jayson Tatum himself to set the right expectations for this comeback. He’s not going to start out at the same level he was when he got hurt (tho I do believe he’ll get back to that eventually). If the expectation is that he comes back as a spicy addition to Boston’s surging season, he could be a fantastic success. If he comes back with the expectation that the team will slip even halfway back onto his shoulders, it’s a lot harder to see that going well.”
Bobby Manning: “Jayson Tatum will make his return less than 10 months since undergoing Achilles surgery. Perhaps the fastest return in NBA history by a star from that injury.”
Kenny Anderson: “I am a big @celtics fan I hope JT doesn’t come back until next year !!!”
Noa Dalzell: “One more thing: the Celtics keep things in-house better than any other org in the NBA. Hard to believe that Jayson Tatum’s return, maybe the biggest story in basketball rn, was announced via the official injury report, but it’s exactly what I expected.”
Kevin O’Connor: “Jayson Tatum is back and the Celtics are now the clear favorites in the East.”
StatMuse: “Jayson Tatum last season: — 26.8 PPG — 8.7 RPG — 6.0 APG — 1.1 SPG — All-Star — 1st Team All-NBA He’s back.”
— 26.8 PPG — 8.7 RPG — 6.0 APG — 1.1 SPG — All-Star — 1st Team All-NBA
He’s back.
Celtics Right Now
While Tatum has yet to play this season, the Celtics have been able to still be among the elite teams in the league.
They are the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-21 record in 62 games.
Following the Mavs, the Celtics will play their next game on Sunday when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA World Reacts To Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum Announcement Before Mavs Game