A new prediction making the rounds has Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum exploding for a 30-point masterpiece in the Celtics’ final stretch of the regular season. The forecast comes from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley as Tatum continues working his way back from the Achilles tear he suffered last May.
“While Tatum took the express lane to return from the Achilles tear he suffered in May, he hasn’t fully transformed into his pre-injury form yet,” Buckley wrote. “And that’s totally understandable, even if it’s been a bit frustrating for him to not play up to his personal standards (19.1 points on 38.8 percent shooting)."
"‘In the moment, you try not to think about it, you just want to be Jayson Tatum and feel like yourself again,’ Tatum told reporters recently. ‘I’m not Superman, so it’s obviously going to take some time.’"
"Given the accelerated nature of this entire process, though, ‘some time’ may not be that long at all," Buckley continued. "Considering he’s already scored 20-plus points in more than half of his appearances and is only averaging a few shots less per outing than he did before the injury, it feels like a 30-point masterpiece could be coming soon.”
The Celtics stand at 47-24 with 11 games left. Boston hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday in a potential Finals preview, offering the perfect stage for Tatum to break out.
Tatum’s year has been defined by patience after the Achilles tear sidelined him for the first 62 games. With the regular season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon, Tatum and the Celtics have their eyes on Banner 19.
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