There is no way Jayson Tatum returning to the Celtics this season could be a bad thing

"There is no universe in which Jayson Tatum's return to the Celtics this season is a bad thing. If he feels comfortable that he has overcome the physical and mental hurdles of recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last May, and his repaired left wheel feels trustworthy, and the doctors give him the thumbs-up ... well, of course you bring him back this season."

"The Celtics have gone 38-19 in his absence including Tuesday night's road win over the Suns. They trail the Pistons by 4½ games for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and lead the third-place Knicks by two games. After losing Tatum to a devastating injury and saying goodbye to champions Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet in the offseason, most expected the Celtics to fall back to the mediocre middle in the East."

"Thanks to a first-team All-NBA-caliber performance by Jaylen Brown, the all-around steadiness of Derrick White, Payton Pritchard's continued emergence as an offensive force, and a tremendous coaching job by Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics have a legitimate shot at reaching the conference finals and perhaps even reaching the NBA Finals for the third time since 2021-22."

The Boston Celtics have thrived during Jayson Tatum's absence, posting a 38-19 record while competing for the Eastern Conference's top seed. Despite losing key players in the offseason, the team has remained competitive through strong performances by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, combined with effective coaching. Tatum's return, even if limited initially due to his Achilles injury recovery, strengthens an already formidable roster. The decision to bring him back is straightforward when medical clearance is obtained and he feels physically and mentally ready. Adding a player of Tatum's caliber and versatility to a team already positioned for a deep playoff run significantly improves their chances of reaching the Finals.

Read at Boston.com