Celtics Rest Tatum, But Brown Returns Against Hawks

Boston's star duo have been dealing with injuries, but one will suit up while the other sits out.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the abstract forms of basketball players in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of bright team colors representing the Celtics' strategic maneuvering on the court.The Celtics' star duo of Tatum and Brown must be carefully managed as the team fights for playoff position.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics announced that star forward Jayson Tatum will not play in Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks, the second game of a back-to-back. However, Jaylen Brown, who has been dealing with an Achilles issue, is available to play after missing the team's previous game.

Why it matters

The Celtics are fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, so managing the health of their two All-Star wings is crucial. Tatum's absence means more responsibility for Brown, who has emerged as an MVP candidate this season with career-best numbers.

The details

On Sunday, Tatum led the Celtics to a 114-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 32 points. Brown missed that game and last played on March 25 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This season, Brown has been putting up averages of 28.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, all career highs.

  • Tatum will sit out Monday's game against the Hawks.
  • Brown last played on March 25 against the Thunder.
  • The Celtics beat the Hornets 114-99 on Sunday, with Tatum scoring 32 points.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who will sit out Monday's game against the Hawks due to injury management.

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who is available to play against the Hawks after missing the previous game due to an Achilles issue.

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The takeaway

The Celtics are carefully managing the minutes and workload of their two star players, Tatum and Brown, as they push for a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Brown's return is a positive sign, but Tatum's absence highlights the team's need to keep their core healthy down the stretch.