Celtics Keep Climbing Eastern Standings While Awaiting Jayson Tatum’s Return
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What was supposed to be a transitional season for the Boston Celtics has turned into a surge toward the top of the Eastern Conference. Despite beginning the year without All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, who is rehabbing a torn Achilles suffered during last postseason, Boston has positioned itself for roughly 50 wins at the halfway point.
The Celtics’ success comes even after the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet over the past 12 months—losses widely viewed as too much to overcome. Instead, the roster has continued to rack up victories and now faces a different question: not whether Tatum will play this season, but what form he will take when he does.
Tatum held a public workout in Detroit on Monday, fueling optimism about his comeback. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the organization is focused on how effective the 26-year-old will be upon return. Should Tatum regain even 75 percent of his usual production, league observers believe Boston could enter the playoffs as the favorite in the East.
For now, the Celtics have already shown they can win without their franchise cornerstone. A healthy—or even partially healthy—Tatum would raise their ceiling and could reshape the postseason landscape.
Source: Hoops Wire
