The Boston Celtics are grinding through a rocky 7-7 start to the season, and the glaring hole in their lineup? None other than superstar forward Jayson Tatum, who’s been shelved by a brutal Achilles tear from last year’s playoffs.
At just 27, the Duke product is staring down a long road to recovery, expected to miss at least most of the campaign. Since bursting onto the scene as the No. 3 pick in 2017, Tatum has been the heartbeat of Boston’s offense—pouring in 26.8 points per game last season while emerging as a rock-solid leader both on the hardwood and in the locker room.
Without their go-to guy, the C’s have had to pivot hard on offense. Jaylen Brown is stepping up big time, dropping a team-high 27.4 points per night, while sharpshooter Payton Pritchard is heating up, exploding for 30 points in a showdown against the Clippers on November 16.
But even from the sidelines, Tatum isn’t fading into the background. He’s channeling his energy into every aspect of the team, earning rave reviews from his squad for his unwavering commitment.
“He’s been super active,” Brown spilled to reporters on November 15. “He’s been around, it’s been dope to see. He’s been engaged. He’s been on the majority of every flight, almost every film session. So that level of dedication, you can tell he’s eager to get back.”
Brown didn’t hold back, drawing contrasts to how other stars handle lengthy injuries. “A lot of guys that know they got an extended amount of time, they’re going to separate themselves mentally for a little bit or whatever,” he added. “He’s been there. He’s been like an extra coach, in a sense. So it’s been kind of cool to see.”
Tatum’s wisdom is paying dividends, especially for Boston’s fresh faces. Rookie sensation Hugo Gonzalez and third-year swingman Jordan Walsh are soaking up his insights as their minutes ramp up, knowing it’ll shape their games now and down the line.
He’s not stopping at the youngsters, either—vets are getting the Tatum treatment too. Derrick White couldn’t resist cracking wise when asked about it. “He’s just annoying me,” White quipped to reporters, before getting real. “No, obviously a great basketball mind. So just there, supporting us, telling us what he sees, encouraging us, just a bunch of other things throughout the game. So it’s always great to have something like that.”
As Tatum battles back from rehab, the Celtics are crossing their fingers for a triumphant return before the final buzzer of the season. For now, though, his “extra coach” vibe is keeping the green machine locked in and hungry for wins.