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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of the game against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on January 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics brought back Jayson Tatum on March 3, after he spent the entire season recovering from an Achilles tear up until that point.
Since making his season debut, Tatum has appeared in all but one of the Celtics’ previous nine games.
With the veteran forward back in the lineup, the Celtics continue to pose a major threat to the Eastern Conference. However, Tatum has had his struggles since coming back.
As a result, the legendary Carmelo Anthony has some honest advice for the All-Star.
Jayson Tatum Gets Honest Advice From Carmelo Anthony
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“Me, personally, I would love to see JT as he’s figuring this out and getting his body back, play in this low block area a little more,” Anthony said on NBA on NBC after the Celtics’ recent loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Play as close as you can to the basket. You’re so big and strong, you can shoot over little guys, get in the paint. You’re too strong for these guys. Don’t try to get it back out there around the three. I want to see you get down to this spot and then you build yourself back up.”
Anthony wasn’t being critical of Tatum. He was pointing out the obvious.
Since returning to the Celtics’ lineup, Tatum has flashed the same star quality as before, but his shot has been more on the underwhelming side.
In eight games, Tatum is shooting 38.8% from the field and making 29.3% of his threes on 75 total attempts.
That led Anthony to suggest that Tatum should be building up his confidence in the paint more before getting back to expanding his range and becoming a daily three-level scorer.
The Return Of Tatum Is Major For Boston
GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 10, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Shooting struggles aside, the Celtics have to feel very encouraged by their ability to avoid a rough stretch while implementing a high-usage star in the lineup after spending so many games without him.
Since Tatum’s return to the court, the Celtics are 6-3. Two of those losses came against the Western Conference’s top two seeds. The 104-102 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t include Tatum. He landed a night off as part of his injury recovery plan.
Overall, Tatum has posted averages of 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals since returning to the court for the Celtics. He has a few weeks to get fully back in the swing of the game before the Celtics reach the playoffs.
After Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Celtics are still the second seed with a 47-24 record. They trail the Detroit Pistons by 4.5 games.