Analyst Shares Concern Over Jayson Tatum's Shooting Struggles

Tatum's shot is going to be understandably rusty for a while, as evidenced by his 39.3 percent mark from the field and 29.0 percent efficiency from three.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Jayson Tatum has played three games since returning to the Boston Celtics rotation after missing 298 days of NBA basketball. While he looked sharp in his first game back, his shooting has struggled in the two games that followed, with Tatum shooting just 39.3% from the field and 29% from three-point range. Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz has expressed concern that Tatum's shooting woes could hurt the Celtics as they head into the playoffs.

Why it matters

Tatum is a key player for the Celtics, and his shooting ability is crucial to the team's success. If he continues to struggle with his shot, it could negatively impact the Celtics' playoff chances, especially against tougher opponents.

The details

In Tatum's first game back, he had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. However, in the two games that followed, his production has been more modest. Over the three games, Tatum has taken a total of 56 field goal attempts, with 31 of those coming from three-point range. He has made 9 of those three-pointers, shooting 29% from beyond the arc.

  • Tatum returned to the Celtics rotation on March 6, 2026.
  • The three games referenced in the article took place after Tatum's return on March 6.

The players

Jayson Tatum

An All-NBA forward for the Boston Celtics who recently returned to the team's rotation after missing 298 days of NBA basketball due to an Achilles injury.

Greg Swartz

A writer for Bleacher Report who has expressed concern over Jayson Tatum's shooting struggles since his return to the Celtics.

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What they’re saying

“Tatum's shot is going to be understandably rusty for a while, as evidenced by his 39.3 percent mark from the field and 29.0 percent efficiency from three.”

— Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Celtics will need to continue to work with Tatum to help him regain his shooting touch as the team heads into the playoffs. If Tatum can find his rhythm, the Celtics will be a formidable opponent, but if his struggles continue, it could hurt their postseason chances.

The takeaway

Tatum's shooting struggles since his return are understandable given the long layoff, but the Celtics will need him to find his form if they want to make a deep playoff run. The team and fans will be closely watching to see if Tatum can work through this early-season rust and regain his All-Star level of play.