Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
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Celtics' star Jaylen Brown had a hilarious reaction to Jayson Tatum's new hairstyle
The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to three games on Tuesday night.
Boston beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-100 on the road, improving to 32-18 on the season. Jaylen Brown led the way with 33 points, while Payton Pritchard added 26 off the bench. The win came hours after the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic, reshaping the roster ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
The conversation around Jayson Tatum‘s potential return has dominated recent headlines. He appeared on The Pivot Podcast and acknowledged he is re-evaluating whether to play at all this season. The comments sparked questions about his timeline and whether Boston would see their franchise cornerstone before the playoffs.
Brown addressed those questions Tuesday.
Brown’s Message To Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown was asked about Tatum’s recovery and potential return, and his response revealed the depth of his perspective.
“I think it’s been good. I’ve been watching his progression,” Brown said. “And I know mentally he’s been through ups and downs just like any other person going through adversity in their career, etc., but I just let him know: ‘Do what’s best for you.’ Make sure. Because outside of it just being physically a setback, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, all that stuff comes into play as well.”
Brown did not stop there. He continued emphasizing the importance of holistic health over rushing back.
“So even if you’re physically feeling well, make sure your mind — mentally, emotionally and spiritually — feels great too,” Brown said. “So I trust (and) we trust his decision-making. Obviously we would love to have him back. Winning is the most important thing for me. So being able to add to winning and potentially have another deep playoff run is what I’m aiming for. JT is a big part of that.”
The message was clear. Brown wants Tatum back, but only when every aspect of his health is ready.
“So obviously he has to make the right decision for him and his body and his mind and his spirit, all of the above,” Brown said. “But when it’s time, if he does make that decision, we would love to have him back.”
It was one of the most mature responses any teammate could give. Brown acknowledged the complexity of recovery, the difficulty of the decision, and the importance of trusting Tatum’s process.
Celtics on CLNS
Jaylen Brown on his conversations with Jayson Tatum and his possible return:
“Obviously we would love to have him back. Winning is the most important thing to me.”
– @CLNSMedia
Where Things Stand With Tatum’s Return
For most of the season, the expectation held that Tatum would rejoin the roster at some point before the playoffs.
Then doubts surfaced. Tatum sat down for The Pivot Podcast earlier this month and opened up about reconsidering his timeline.
However, the Celtics’ move to acquire Nikola Vucevic on Tuesday carries implications beyond roster construction.
General manager Brad Stevens sent Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Vucevic and a second-round pick.
Boston does not give up rotation players and take on a veteran big man in his mid-30s if the plan is to pack it in for this season and reload next fall. The trade reads like a team that expects to compete for a title in the coming months, not one preparing for a lengthy rebuild.
If Stevens had concluded Tatum would sit out the rest of the year, trading for Vucevic would make less sense. The move suggests Boston anticipates getting Tatum back at some point before the playoffs, creating a lineup that pairs their returning star with added depth in the paint.
Hoop Central
Nikola Vucevic, alongside a healthy Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown, would be very interesting. 🍿
Brown Wins Player of the Month for First Time
Jaylen Brown earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for January, winning the award for the first time in his career.
His January highlights included dropping 50 points on the Los Angeles Clippers in early January and following it up later in the month with a 40-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks. Brown also dominated the glass down the stretch, leading Boston in rebounding during seven of their final eight games heading into February.
Brown has finally received the recognition he earned. This season, he is putting up career-best numbers across the board, topping 29 points while pulling down nearly 7 boards and distributing close to 5 assists per night. He earned his first All-Star starting selection earlier this season, cementing his status as one of the league’s elite players. The Player of the Month award adds another accolade to a career year.
Final Word for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown has become everything the Celtics needed this season.
He has carried the offensive load without Tatum, earned All-Star and Player of the Month honors, and led Boston to a 32-18 record that has them positioned as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. His growth as a leader has been just as impressive as his statistical production.
Brown’s comments about Tatum on Tuesday reflected that maturity. He emphasized mental, emotional, and spiritual health alongside physical recovery. He trusted Tatum’s decision-making process. He expressed support for whatever choice Tatum makes.
The door remains open for Tatum to return. The Celtics’ trade for Vucevic suggests they expect him back before the playoffs. Brown’s comments make it clear the team will welcome him whenever he is ready.
If Tatum returns healthy and ready, the Celtics become one of the most dangerous teams in the league. If he waits until next season, Brown has proven he can lead this group as far as they can go.
Either way, Brown’s message Tuesday showed he understands what matters most. And that perspective may be just as valuable as anything he does on the court.