The return of Jayson Tatum was much anticipated. We are just about a month into it and it could not have possibly gone any better than it has.
Tatum went through a short shooting slump, but he is starting to find his shot and is a positive in every other aspect of the game. In his 12 games since returning, Tatum has averaged 21.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, including a 25-point, 18-rebound and 11-assist triple-double in the Celtics win in Miami on Wednesday night.
It was unclear
if Tatum would have his step back three in his arsenal. Well, he is starting to get it working.
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
When Tatum has his step back going, he becomes one of the most unstoppable players in the league, as we saw in Game 7 against the 76ers in 2023.
Another place Tatum has helped out Boston is on the defensive glass.
Early in the season, the Celtics defensive rebounding was a major issue for the team. They have since done a nice job of rectifying that. They were 8th in defensive rebounding percentage when Tatum returned. Since that point, the Celtics are 3rd in defensive rebounding.
According to Cleaning the Glass, Tatum is rebounding 25.2% of opponents misses which ranks first in the NBA amongst wings. It is a small sample and that number won’t hold but it is still really impressive to be that good coming back from a torn Achilles.
Clearly, Tatum’s 9.3 defensive rebounds per game have played a big part in cleaning the glass which is now a strength for the C’s after being the worst defensive rebounding team in the league for the first month of the season.
Another fun part of the return has been the development of Tatum’s two-man game with Neemias Queta.
After his first game back, JT talked about how he and Queta had a little ways to go on their chemistry. “We had a little talk… it’s our first game really playing together and (there are) some things we gotta work on,” Tatum said. “He was telling me some things that he was seeing out there and how we can get our connection better moving forward.”
They have certainly been working on the chemistry and we have seen a few fun plays out of the pick-and-roll.
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
Last season, Luke Kornet and Jayson Tatum were amongst the best pick-and-roll duos in the league. There is no reason to believe that Tatum can’t get there with Queta next season, maybe even in this seasons playoffs. They are certainly processing in a very good way.
It isn’t just in the pick-and-roll that the duo is meshing. They are starting to connect in different ways on the court, including Neemy giving Jayson a dump off on his drives.
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
This is a really nice job by Tatum driving the baseline and finding Queta who rolls to the rim when Miles Bridges helps off of him. Just an awesome pass and finish as well.
Their chemistry is becoming a big part of this team and unlocks a new way for Boston to generate points.
The last thing I want to talk about is how physical Tatum has been over the last few games.
Jayson Tatum has gotten (a lot) stronger over the past few years and one way he has used that to his advantage is when he is driving to the rim. He has become good at just going through someone by pushing them to the side.
That has returned over the last few games.
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) April 2, 2026
He doesn’t go around the defense; he puts his shoulder right through the chest of the defender and finishes at the cup.
These aren’t little players he is bullying either — Chet Holmgren and Ryan Kalkbrenner are 7 footers that he just dusts to the side like they are nothing.
It has been really encouraging to see him add this move back into his bag to get the basket.
Sure, he isn’t shooting the ball great, but he is doing everything else on the floor. It has been so much fun to be able to watch Jayson Tatum hoop again and hopefully we get to do it for a long playoff run as well.
