Jaylen Brown Returns, Jayson Tatum Out for Celtics vs. Hawks

Boston's All-Star duo have opposite injury statuses ahead of Monday's matchup.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting basketball players in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the fragmented nature of the Celtics' injury situation.Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum navigate the court in a cubist, fragmented style, reflecting the team's need to carefully manage their minutes and recovery.Boston Today

After missing back-to-back games, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has been cleared to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. However, star forward Jayson Tatum has been ruled out for rest and recovery after playing heavy minutes in recent games.

Why it matters

The Celtics are jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, so the health and availability of their two best players is crucial. Brown's return provides a boost, but Tatum's absence is a setback as the team navigates the final stretch of the regular season.

The details

Brown sat out the last two games with left Achilles tendonitis, but he has been removed from the injury report and will play against the Hawks. Tatum, on the other hand, is being held out for 'right Achilles repair management' after logging heavy minutes in recent outings, including a 37-minute performance on Sunday. The Celtics also have several other players dealing with injuries, including center Neemias Queta, who is doubtful with a thumb sprain.

  • Jaylen Brown missed the Celtics' last two games.
  • Jayson Tatum has yet to play on back-to-back nights since returning from Achilles surgery on March 6.
  • The Celtics face the Hawks on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

An All-Star wing for the Boston Celtics who was sidelined with left Achilles tendonitis but has now been cleared to return to the lineup.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward who is being held out of Monday's game against the Hawks for 'right Achilles repair management' after playing heavy minutes in recent outings.

Joe Mazzulla

The head coach of the Boston Celtics.

Neemias Queta

The Celtics' starting center who is doubtful to play against the Hawks due to a right thumb sprain.

Luka Garza

The Celtics' likely top big man against the Hawks with Queta doubtful and Nikola Vucevic out.

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What they’re saying

“Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had declined to share details about Brown's injury, saying only that the All-Star wing felt sore after Wednesday's victory over Oklahoma City and was considered 'day to day.'”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

The Celtics will continue to monitor Jayson Tatum's recovery and his availability for back-to-back games as the regular season winds down. The team will also need to determine the status of Neemias Queta and other injured players ahead of the matchup with the Hawks.

The takeaway

The Celtics' ability to manage the health and workload of their star players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will be crucial as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Maintaining the availability of their top talent is paramount for Boston's championship aspirations.