There was much speculation surrounding Jayson Tatum‘s return from a torn Achilles tendon. Despite this, the All-Star played an astounding 27 minutes in his March 6th victory against the Dallas Mavericks. This cements his name as one of the few NBA players to return from an Achilles tear in less than a year, joining Kobe Bryant and Dominque Wilkins.
Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult to return from. Klay Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star, was unable to return to his prime form after his Achilles tear in 2020. Tatum’s All-Star peers, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard, are yet to return from their Achilles injuries suffered during the last NBA playoffs.
So what does Tatum’s return signal for the Boston Celtics?
Jayson Tatum Could Be The Boston Celtics’ X Factor
Return Of The Anomaly
In his first game back this season, Tatum put up a pretty decent statline. Starting the game for Boston, Ttaum scored 15 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists. He was also tied for the second most plus/minus this game (+20), alongside Jaylen Brown, both of whom were behind Derrick White.
According to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, Tatum’s return this season is no surprise for the team, despite widespread speculation about the star’s return.
“Really since Day 1, it’s just been a constant conversation. Throughout that process, we’ve just trusted his journey. And I give him credit for — we always knew he was coming back this year. I think I knew that when he decided to have surgery within a 16-hour span or whatever the case was. But you give him credit for the vulnerability and the communication throughout the journey. There’s always steps along the journey that are going well, and there’s always days that are not going well.”
“This is the most dangerous team in the entire league,” former NBA center Kendrick Perkins said earlier this week.
Rotation Changes
With Tatum back to playing games for Boston, Mazzulla will have to make some changes to his established rotations.
One of Tatum’s concerns about rejoining the Celtics this season was playing games with a team that had established its chemistry and rhythm without him.
“More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50 some odd games without me so they have an identity this year or things they’ve felt that has clicked for them and it’s been successful.”
The Celtics look vastly different from how they were 10 months ago. Boston traded away Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday in the aftermath of their second-round loss to the New York Knicks. Luke Kornet and Al Horford later left in free agency.
Despite his start and impressive stat line, it is more realistic to expect Tatum to come off the bench. Additionally, Tatum may also be placed on a minutes restriction as he eases his way into All-NBA form.
For most of this year, the Celtics have run a 10-man rotation. Aside from Brown and White, guard Payton Pritchard, starting center Neemias Queta, and forward Sam Hauser have played big minutes. Additionally, guards Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman, and forward Jordan Walsh have played anywhere from 15 to 17 minutes a game for Boston this season.
Tatum’s return will lead to significant changes in the Celtics’ game plan. Both Brown and White have carried heavy offensive loads over the majority of this season up until this point. With Tatum back on the court, however, some of the offensive slack will be picked up.
Currently, Boston boasts the second-best offensive rating, right behind the Denver Nuggets. Tatum’s injury led many to believe that Boston would be unable to contend this season. However, the Celtics and their phenomenal depth have been their secret weapon throughout this past season.
Young, homegrown talent has elevated Boston to near playoff contention. Brown’s MVP-level contribution and White stepping up his own scoring over the past few years must not be forgotten. The Athletic has some qualms about how Tatum will fit with the rest of the Celtics’ offense this late into the season. However, his playing style is malleable enough to let his co-stars shine.
Could Tatum prove to be Boston’s X factor en route to another championship?
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