Celtics' Jayson Tatum Excited to Play Alongside Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard Again

Tatum missed nearly 300 days due to an Achilles injury but is thrilled to be back on the court with his talented teammates.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who missed almost 300 days after rupturing his Achilles in May, expressed his joy at being back on the court and playing alongside teammates Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard. Tatum, a six-time All-Star, finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the Celtics' 109-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brown recorded a team-high 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Pritchard added 18 points off the bench. Tatum said he's happy to be 'out there making plays' with his talented teammates, who have kept the Celtics competitive during his absence, going 41-21 this season.

Why it matters

Tatum's return is a major boost for the Celtics, who are currently 2.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics will face two of the league's top teams, the San Antonio Spurs and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, in their next two games, so Tatum's presence will be crucial as the team tries to make a push for the top spot in the East.

The details

Tatum missed almost 300 days after rupturing his Achilles in May. In his first game back, he finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the Celtics' 109-98 win over the Cavaliers. While Tatum struggled from 3-point range, going 2-for-9, he hit a crucial 3-pointer in the final two minutes to seal the victory. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Payton Pritchard added 18 points off the bench.

  • Tatum ruptured his Achilles in May 2025.
  • Tatum returned to action on March 8, 2026, after missing nearly 300 days.
  • The Celtics earned a 109-98 win over the Cavaliers on March 8, 2026.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A six-time NBA All-Star and key player for the Boston Celtics who missed nearly 300 days due to an Achilles injury.

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics who has been a key contributor in Tatum's absence, recording a team-high 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists in the win over the Cavaliers.

Payton Pritchard

A point guard for the Boston Celtics who scored 18 points off the bench in the win over the Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“I can't stress it enough, I'm just happy to be out here and playing on the team, with the guys, competing, making plays, making mistakes.”

— Jayson Tatum (ESPN)

What’s next

The Celtics will face two of the league's top teams, the San Antonio Spurs and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, in their next two games. Tatum's return will be crucial as the Celtics try to make a push for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Tatum's return is a major boost for the Celtics, who have managed to stay competitive in his absence, going 41-21 this season. With Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard all healthy and playing well, the Celtics have the potential to make a deep playoff run and challenge for the NBA championship.