By Matija Šerić
When Jayson Tatum suffered a severe injury (Achilles tendon rupture) in Game 4 of last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, many believed that the current Boston Celtics season would be lost in advance. Such an injury is one of the most serious in professional sports, with recovery typically taking at least a year, making any predictions of a quick return very pessimistic. However, the unexpected happened: “The Anomaly,” as fans affectionately call him, recovered in a record ten months. His return came at the beginning of this month.
Tatum Excites the Fans Again
More precisely, the comeback that only the most optimistic had anticipated occurred on March 7 against Dallas, in a game where the Celtics triumphed 120–100. Tatum scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. In the win over Cleveland the following day, he scored 20 points, and on March 11, in a 125–116 loss to San Antonio, he poured in 24 points. Due to his recovery process, he did not play against the defending champions in Oklahoma, where the Celtics lost 104–102. However, on the night of Saturday to Sunday, Tatum played against the Wizards at TD Garden, contributing 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Statistics Show the Value of the Superstar
In the four games he has played, averaging 28.3 minutes per game, Tatum has posted promising numbers. He averages 19.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, two double-doubles, with 40% shooting from the field and 27.5% from three-point range. Importantly, Tatum does not appear weak or injured, but plays like the NBA All-Star we know—six-time All-Star, in fact. He is unique for his versatile skill set—as a wing, he can handle and distribute the ball, shoot accurately, and defend multiple positions. He is not yet at his peak, but that could change in a few weeks—just in time for the playoffs.
A Surprisingly Strong Celtics Season
Overall, the Celtics are performing beyond all reasonable expectations this season. Most basketball analysts assumed that without “The Anomaly,” this would be a forgettable season for Boston, destined for the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Many even compared their prospects to Indiana, which, also without their first star Tyrese Haliburton, sits in last place in the East at 15–52. However, despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics have performed fantastically. They are currently second in the East with a 44–23 record.
Coach Joe Mazzulla has done an excellent job managing the roster, which is also of high quality. Boston is led by Jaylen Brown (28.2 points per game), Neemias Queta (8.4 rebounds, 10 points), Derrick White (17.4 points, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks), and Payton Pritchard (16.6 points, 5.3 assists). Although the Eastern Conference is generally weaker than the West, the Celtics’ achievements should not be underestimated. Finishing second in the conference without their top superstar is a remarkable feat.
Mazzulla’s Tactical Mastery
One key to their success is Coach Mazzulla’s tactical flexibility. He successfully redistributed responsibilities among players, building a system focused on team play, fast transitions, and a high volume of three-point shots. Players like Brown and White have shouldered a heavier offensive load while the team maintains a solid defensive structure. The combination of disciplined defense, shooting efficiency, and roster depth has allowed Boston to remain among the top of the Eastern Conference even without their biggest star. Offensively, the Celtics are the league’s second-best team; defensively, they rank fifth.
A Born Leader
With the return of their star, the Celtics are expected to shine as they did two seasons ago when they won the NBA title. Tatum’s contributions—points, rebounds, assists, and leadership on and off the court—cannot be measured by stats alone. He is a natural leader destined for greatness. “I feel a lot more relaxed,” Tatum said about his debut this season. “Of course, the first game was a huge moment… I think now in each game, I find more moments where I feel confident and explosive.”
The coach noted: “Tatum simply gives the game what it needs. It’s about the details, the simple things. He continues to get back into shape. Right now, the most important thing is to simply give the game what it needs, both offensively and defensively.”
Title Contenders
Once Jayson Tatum reaches full fitness and rhythm, the Celtics could contend for a championship. That is exactly what the NBA needs. Whether you love them or not, the Celtics are a franchise and a brand that must look attractive and recognizable. Their competitiveness pushes other teams to improve and provides fans with better basketball.
