As the Boston Celtics prepare for a crucial stretch of the season, their star forward, Jayson Tatum, is still working his way back to form. Yet, according to a former NBA champion, fans shouldn’t be concerned.
Tatum spent the past 10 months recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, making his 2025-26 season debut on March 6 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Since then, he has yet to fully hit his stride. In eight games, Tatum is averaging:
- 29.8 minutes
- 19.1 points
- 38.8% field goal percentage
- 8.9 rebounds
- 3.3 assists
While these numbers fall short of his peak performance, former player-turned-analyst Iman Shumpert believes Tatum will be ready when the playoffs begin.
Shumpert confident in Tatum’s progress
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Shumpert, who won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, reassured Celtics fans:
I don’t think the Celtics should fall for the ‘Make sure he fits’ type of situation.
He added, “When May 1st comes, he’ll be ready.” Notably, Boston must advance past the first round of the playoffs to still be competing by that date.
Currently, the Celtics sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. With nearly a month left before the postseason, the teams behind them are making their push.
The Celtics need Tatum more than ever
Boston holds a 47-24 record, trailing the conference-leading Detroit Pistons (55-19) by five games. Meanwhile, they are only half a game ahead of the New York Knicks (47-25).
Close behind are the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-27) and the Toronto Raptors (40-31). Although the Celtics appear safe, a losing streak combined with surging rivals could jeopardize their playoff position.
While Shumpert is confident Boston will reach the postseason and advance beyond the first round, the sooner Tatum returns to his old form, the more secure the Celtics-and their fans-will feel.
