Celtics' NBA Title Odds Soar After Jayson Tatum's Encouraging Return

Boston looks like a legitimate championship contender again with Tatum back from injury.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Boston Celtics have seen their NBA title odds improve significantly after star forward Jayson Tatum made his season debut following a torn Achilles injury. Tatum's return has boosted the Celtics' championship hopes, with their odds improving from +900 to +550 at DraftKings Sportsbook, now trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best title odds in the league.

Why it matters

Tatum's return is a major boost for the Celtics, who were looking like a fringe playoff team at the start of the season. With their star player back, Boston now has the talent to potentially win the Eastern Conference and compete for an NBA championship.

The details

Tatum made his season debut on Friday, recording a double-double in a 20-point win over the Dallas Mavericks. He followed that up with 20 points in a road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. While Tatum is still shaking off some rust, his performance has been encouraging enough to convince sportsbooks that the Celtics are legitimate title contenders again.

  • Tatum tore his Achilles during the NBA Playoffs in 2025.
  • Tatum made his season debut on March 3, 2026.
  • The Celtics' title odds improved from +900 to +550 on March 6, 2026.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who missed the start of the 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles injury.

Nikola Vucevic

A center for the Boston Celtics who suffered a broken finger, causing him to miss some games.

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What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their strong play as Tatum continues to work his way back to full strength. The team's performance over the next month will be crucial in determining their chances of making a deep playoff run.

The takeaway

Tatum's return has transformed the Celtics from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate championship contender, showcasing the importance of having a star player healthy and on the court. Boston's improved title odds demonstrate the impact a single player can have on a team's championship aspirations.