At the start of the 2025-26 season, there wasn’t much hope for the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury left uncertainty, and the Celtics decision to move on from multiple players from their 2024 title run due to financial cuts brought in new faces.
Fast forward to six games remaining in the regular season, and the Celtics are rolling as the No. 2 seed in the East. Jaylen Brown inserted his name in the NBA MVP talks, and Jayson Tatum is returning to full form after making his return in March.
Tatum’s first nine games were for him to get back into the groove, playing limited minutes. Now the 28-year-old superstar is finding his stride.
Jayson Tatum Registers 25+ Points in Three Straight
It took Jayson Tatum just 11 months to get back into action for the Celtics. He suffered the right Achilles tear on May 12 in Boston’s semifinals loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs. As quick as his recovery was, many didn’t know what to expect from Tatum in his rapid return to the court.
It started out with some growing pains. He averaged just 19.1 points per game over his first nine games but made his presence known on the boards and in assists, averaging 9.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in that span.
Tatum has since flipped another switch in his game. It began in the Celtics’ 109-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks on March 27. He finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. This was the first time Tatum scored 25 or more points since making his return.
He hasn’t been cleared to play in Boston’s back-to-back sets due to injury management, but Tatum followed up the scoring outing with a 32-point performance in the Celtics win over the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, and a 25-point outing in the win over the Miami Heat on April 1.
That makes for three straight 25+ point outings for Jayson Tatum. It may not seem like he’s quite at full strength, but he’s starting to catch a stride for the Celtics just in time for the NBA Playoffs.
The Boston Celtics’ Impressive 2025-26 Season
Entering the regular season, Boston was without familiar names like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. All were key players in their championship run in 2024.
It was because the Celtics’ salary cap was flirting with the NBA’s second apron. Moving on from these players, who were carrying significant contract costs, helped avoid roster restrictions.
This didn’t stop Boston from the same winning pattern they have had over the past decade. Jaylen Brown has stepped up tremendously with career-high numbers. In 67 appearances, Brown is averaging 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. 2025 Sixth Man of the Year Paton Pritchard has done the same with an increased role, averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
Not to mention Derrick White, who’s always made the adjustments when Boston has needed him most. He’s averaged 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists this season, while carrying a defensive impact that doesn’t get talked about enough.
The Boston Celtics have set them selves up in a perfect position to, yet again, make a strong push for another NBA title this year. They currently sit as the two-seed in the East, and still have a chance of passing the No. 1 Detroit Pistons. Detroit has a 4.5-game lead over the Celtics.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum is Starting to Find a Spark in Recent Stretch