Tatum clears psychological hurdle with return to MSG; Brown, Queta and Shulga headline Celtics updates
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Jayson Tatum called his April visit to Madison Square Garden “a big moment, a big hurdle” after returning to the floor where he suffered a torn Achilles tendon last May. The Boston forward delivered 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes during the Celtics’ loss to the Knicks, then told reporters he mostly wanted “to walk off the floor on my own two feet.”
The 26-year-old has been back in the lineup for a little more than a month but is still being held out of back-to-back games. Faced with choosing between Thursday’s contest in New York and Friday’s matchup with New Orleans, Tatum elected to play at MSG to erase lingering memories of last year’s playoff injury. “Today was important to me,” he said. “I’m glad I did. I feel a lot better.”
Brown’s offseason isolation
Jaylen Brown spent last summer recovering from meniscus surgery and purposefully kept to himself to prepare for added responsibilities. With Tatum’s extended absence and several veterans gone from the 2024 championship roster, Brown said he viewed the season as “an opportunity to show the world who I am and what I could do,” despite what he termed “a rebuild” from a financial perspective.
Mazzulla backs Queta for MIP
Head coach Joe Mazzulla is pushing center Neemias Queta for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. The third-year big man, now Boston’s full-time starter, is averaging career highs of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. “He deserves it,” Mazzulla said. “Where he was and where he is now—we wouldn’t be in this position without him.”
Shulga’s two-city double
Rookie guard Max Shulga made franchise history on March 22 by logging minutes for both Boston and its G League affiliate in Maine on the same day. Selected 57th overall last June, Shulga started the season on a two-way contract and became playoff-eligible after signing a standard deal last month. “It’s been a good first year,” he said, noting the “ups and downs” that came with adjusting to the NBA game.
Source: Hoops Rumors
