Insider’s Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown claim will get fans’ attention

Celtics star Jayson Tatum has recovered from his injury nothing short of a medical miracle. Tatum tore his Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ second-round game against the New York Knicks in the 2025 playoffs. The injury usually causes players to miss the entire season while recovering, but Tatum is determined.

Videos of the six-time All-Star doing vigorous workouts surfaced, and NBC also produced a short series highlighting his road to recovery. He appears ready to hit the court again this week as he appears set to return on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Tatum’s return adds to the phenomenal season the Celtics had without their star. The Celtics currently sit in second place in the East at 41-20 after many NBA fans and prognosticators believed they would not be a contender without Tatum active on the roster. Jailen Brown emerged as a potential MVP candidate and raised the team’s ceiling.

While it’s certainly a plus to have Tatum back in the lineup, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix believes Tatum is must make huge team customization and The emergence of Jaylen Brown as the first option.

“I think (Jayson) Tatum knows he’s coming back into Jaylen Brown’s team. Brown is a top-five, top-six MVP candidate this year. He’s put this team on his back offensively. And Tatum’s going to have to find a way to fit into that.”

In 54 games played, Brown is averaging 29 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 5 assists per game with one steal. He is shooting 48% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. He was the catalyst for the Celtics’ success as they continued to hold their own in the contentious conversation. But if Tatum returns to full strength, he’s still one of the best players in the NBA.

Last season, he played 72 games in the regular season, and the average was unclear: 26.8 points per game, 6 assists and 8 rebounds, while shooting 34% from three. Tatum has emerged as a star-level playmaker who can score and get buckets for his team.

While Jaylen Brown has stepped up his role, the addition of Jayson Tatum could be a scary proposition for the rest of the Eastern Conference.