Tatum Named Player of the Week After Celtics Injury Update

The NBA star was recognized for his strong performance despite missing a recent game due to injury management.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and plays of a basketball player, rendered in shades of green, white, and black to represent the Boston Celtics colors.Tatum's Player of the Week award highlights his remarkable recovery and continued excellence despite a recent Achilles injury.Denver Today

The NBA has announced that Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, just over ten months after returning from a torn Achilles tendon. The news comes as the Celtics recently ruled Tatum out for their upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks due to 'right achilles repair management', a common practice of resting players as they work their way back to full strength following a major injury.

Why it matters

Tatum's Player of the Week award is a testament to his resilience and skill, as he continues to excel on the court despite the challenges of recovering from a serious Achilles injury. The Celtics' decision to rest Tatum for the Hawks game reflects their cautious approach to managing his workload and ensuring he is healthy for the playoffs, where the team will need him at his best to make a deep postseason run.

The details

In the three games Tatum played during the week he was named Player of the Week, he averaged 25.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while leading the Celtics to a 3-0 record. However, the 28-year-old has only appeared in 11 games this season as the team carefully monitors his recovery from the Achilles tear. Tatum is currently averaging 20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 39.9% shooting in his return to action.

  • Tatum was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for week 23 of the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • Tatum was recently ruled out for the Celtics' game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A 28-year-old forward for the Boston Celtics who is making his return to the court after tearing his Achilles tendon.

Jaylen Brown

Tatum's fellow star teammate on the Boston Celtics, who has also been dealing with injuries this season.

Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets center who was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the same period.

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What’s next

The Celtics will continue to monitor Tatum's recovery and manage his workload, with the goal of having him at full strength for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Jayson Tatum's Player of the Week award is a remarkable achievement given the severity of his Achilles injury, and it demonstrates his determination to return to an elite level of play. The Celtics' cautious approach to managing his recovery is a wise strategy to ensure he can contribute fully to the team's postseason aspirations.