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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics walked into Monday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns riding a two-game winning streak. Jaylen Brown had been carrying the offense all season while Jayson Tatum worked his way back from injury. The building was ready for another statement performance.
Boston delivered. The Celtics beat the Suns 120-112 at TD Garden to improve to 45-23 on the season. Brown poured in 41 points in an MVP-caliber showing. Tatum added 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in his sixth game back from a ten-month absence.
After the game, a Suns guard had some words on Jayson Tatum.
Suns Guard Talks Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker spoke about Celtics’ Jayson Tatum following Monday’s loss, and his comments reflected someone who has paid attention for longer than most people realize.
“That’s his makeup. That’s his DNA, that’s his approach,” Booker said. “Somebody that I’ve been watching for a really long time since he was in 6th and 7th grade.”
The history runs deeper than most people realize.
Booker continued his assessment of what Tatum has accomplished.
“To watch him evolve, become a champion,” Booker said. “And then everything he’s accomplished to get back. That’s an inspiration.”
Booker recognizes the difficulty of what Tatum faced. An Achilles rupture derails careers. The road back requires commitment that goes beyond what most people understand. Seeing Tatum return to the floor and contribute at a high level meant something. The respect was genuine.
What Tatum Has Shown Since Returning
Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon last spring. The timeline pointed toward a lengthy absence. Many around the league thought he wouldn’t return for the 2025-26 season.
Tatum had other plans. He returned to the floor for the Celtics on March 6 against the Dallas Mavericks. TD Garden erupted. Tatum finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in a blowout win.
Six games later, the numbers reflect steady progress. Tatum is averaging 20 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists since his return. Monday’s performance against Phoenix showed the most balance he’s had yet. Twenty-one points on efficient shooting. Seven rebounds. Four assists. He iced the game from the free-throw line in the closing seconds.
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
What Wednesday Brings for Boston
The Celtics host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Golden State will arrive severely undermanned. Steph Curry has been out since before the All-Star break dealing with a knee injury. Jimmy Butler III is done for the season after tearing his ACL. Al Horford, Moses Moody and Seth Curry are all out. Quinten Post and LJ Cryer are questionable. Gary Payton II is probable with a left tibial contusion.
Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play against his former team, despite dealing with illness on and off throughout the year. His availability gives Golden State some size, but the Warriors are still fighting an uphill battle.
The Warriors sit at 33-35, holding the ninth seed in the Western Conference. They’re fighting to secure positioning in the play-in tournament.
For Boston, Nikola Vucevic remains out with a right ring finger fracture. He’ll miss his sixth straight game. The rest of the roster is available.
Final Word for the Celtics
Devin Booker’s comments about Jayson Tatum reflected genuine respect for what he has overcome.
The Celtics sit at 45-23 with the Warriors coming to town Wednesday night. Every game matters down the stretch. Every step forward in Tatum’s recovery matters.
The foundation is solid. The partnership with Brown is firing. The playoffs are coming.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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