Jayson Tatum is quickly regaining his confidence on the floor, as he drove for two of his 21 points against Rasheer Fleming (left) and the Suns in Monday's win at TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum is quickly regaining his confidence on the floor, as he drove for two of his 21 points against Rasheer Fleming (left) and the Suns in Monday's win at TD Garden.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
When Devin Booker turned his head for a split second, thinking he had time before the double team approached, Jaylen Brown sensed vulnerability and stripped the ball — starting a fastbreak that must have been exhilarating for the TD Garden crowd to watch because the chemistry between Brown and Jayson Tatum remains intact.
Brown gathered the ball, raced down the left side of the floor and Tatum filled the middle. Brown then forced Phoenix’s Jordan Goodwin to commit and flipped the ball to Tatum, who Eurostepped his way to an easy layup.
Dynamic mode ⚡️
JB defense ➡️ JT offense in tonight's @JetBlue Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/CaDlvIhPTd
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 17, 2026
It was not only a picturesque break, it was a critical bucket. It started the Celtics’ late-game rally that turned what would have been a painful loss into a satisfying 120-112 win Monday, as Boston continued to hold its ground for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
And it was the latest example of Brown and Tatum regaining their chemistry that had peaked after eight seasons together but was discontinued when Tatum ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Brown carried the Celtics in the fourth quarter with 18 of his 41 points. At this juncture of his return, Tatum is the second option, still trying to gain his physical confidence and mental fortitude, and trying to adequately compete with players who are 60-plus games into the season and in premium shape.
The process of acclimating Tatum is not only on him but also his teammates, especially Brown. The duo is tired of the questions about whether they can co-exist. They can. But the Celtics will be a championship caliber team when they can get Tatum close to his previous form.
He’s not close yet, and Brown is enjoying his best season as a professional. So bringing Tatum back to near 100 percent while fostering Brown’s stellar season is possible simultaneously with effort.
Jaylen Brown (center) power-drives to the hoop between Phoenix defenders Collin Gillespie (left) and Rasheer Fleming Monday night.
Jaylen Brown (center) power-drives to the hoop between Phoenix defenders Collin Gillespie (left) and Rasheer Fleming Monday night.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
“It takes some understanding,” Brown said. “JT is extremely important to us for what we want to do. Obviously, I’m having a great season, but not going to have to just think what’s the big picture. Sometimes that’s not easy, but always put the team first and what the bigger picture is first.
“So it’s just kind of a feel thing. Kind of feel it out, and then take some time. We’re gonna be aggressive, how the teams guard, and kind of reassessing all of that stuff is different. This team is different but it’s been it’s been OK.”
WITH AUTHORITY 🔨 pic.twitter.com/cQORuoL2Z0
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 17, 2026
Monday was difficult. The Suns are one of the league’s most surprising teams. They have two dynamic scorers in Booker, who scored 23 consecutive points between the second and third quarters, and Jalen Green, and they play tough, physical defense.
But the Celtics found a way, despite trailing by 4 points with 4:46 left. They ended the game on a 12-1 run with Brown scoring 16 of Boston’s 18 points in a 7-minute stretch of the fourth quarter. The other bucket was that layup by Tatum, who finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, but is still learning to trust his body and attack the basket with vigor instead of timidity.
The transition back has not been seamless, but Tatum has no concerns about meshing back with Brown despite just 14 games left in the regular season.
“We’ve done a really good job of that over the last nine years, especially probably these last six,” Tatum said. “We’ve just found a way to really compliment each other on both ends of the floor and win a bunch of basketball games, win a bunch of playoff series, and win a championship.”
Jayson Tatum knocks down one of his two made 3-pointers during Monday's hard-fought win over the Suns.
Jayson Tatum knocks down one of his two made 3-pointers during Monday's hard-fought win over the Suns.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
But what has been a surprisingly satisfying Celtics regular season could actually become more intriguing with Tatum getting back to form. But the encouraging news is Brown is fully capable of these dominant nights on a consistent basis. He attempted a career-high 21 free throws and has 39 in his past three games after his San Antonio ejection for arguing with officials.
When the Celtics needed buckets or points, Brown responded by attacking the basket and using his physicality to draw contact. He also added a blocked shot and that Booker steal in the decisive fourth period.
JB said ima pin that 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/kDHskTch9k
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 17, 2026
Tatum played six minutes of the final quarter and attempted two shots, still sometimes serving as a decoy or standing in the corner while Brown works his magic.
Eventually, the hope is Tatum will make more cuts to the basket or call for the ball in the corner and knock down the open 3-pointer. But that fastbreak, when a fully confident Tatum filled the middle like a hulking fullback and then used his footwork to score a much-needed bucket “was like old times,” he said.
Signs of growth are occurring on a nightly basis. But the Tatum evolution is going to take weeks, not days. The good news is the Celtics have established enough of a winning identity and formula to prevail through this process.
“We found ways to win,” Brown said. “We just got to continue to do that. We got some games left. It’s not gonna be perfect. I think we could have won in a better fashion tonight against the Suns, but it’s gonna take a little bit of that growth factor by the time we get to the playoffs.
“So I gotta be patient; everybody gotta be patient. This is not the best version that you are watching right now, so we just take it one day at a time.”
Jayson Tatum getting acclimated to NBA play again
The Celtics are being a bit cautious with Jayson Tatum’s game minutes, making sure he’s getting acclimated before the playoffs.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.