Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Addresses Lingering Jayson Tatum Issue

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Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics

Anyone who has watched or followed the Boston Celtics in the past decade knows that for the first few years of their existence on the same roster, the star tandem of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum was analyzed ad nauseum, with more than a few observers declaring that there would be no way that the two could play together and win long-term (we’re looking at you, Jeff Goodman).

Brown and Tatum knew it, too. It was the most frequently asked question the duo got in their early years, a frequent topic for coach Brad Stevens and then-personnel honcho Danny Ainge. The Celtics always insisted the pair could learn to play off each other, and it wasn’t until Boston went to the Finals in 2022 and won a championship in 2024 that the questions seemed to be put to rest.

Ah, but they’re back. With Tatum out because of an Achilles tendon tear–and possibly returning to action soon–the fact that the Celtics are thriving with Brown in the leading role again has raised the issue of whether the Celtics would be better with either Tatum or Brown, but not both.

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown: ‘There’s Always Going to Be Some Stuff’

The Celtics are 35-19, No. 2 in the Eastern Conference behind the Pistons, and have seen Brown average 29.3 points (fourth in the NBA) while leading the league in attempts (22.6) and makes (10.9). What was supposed to be a lost year for the Celtics without Tatum–and with players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet lost to cost-cutting trades–has turned out to be very different.

At the NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles, Brown was asked about the idea that, when Tatum comes back from his injury–which could be in weeks–the two will need to learn to co-exist again.

Brown was honest on the subject, conceding that he and Tatum are always working on their relationship.

“I mean, those conversations have been happening from since we got drafted pretty much,” he said. “So in any human relationship, in any type of team, there’s always going to be some stuff that you have to work on and improve and work through. But in terms of winning, me and him both have done that at a high level for a very long time. So I’m looking forward to that.”

Jayson Tatum Practiced With G League Team

Tatum, of course, worked out with the Maine Celtics last week as part of his rehab efforts. He tore his Achilles tendon in May, in the playoff loss to the Knicks, but has had an aggressive program to get him back on the court and could return in the coming weeks.

There has been some sentiment for Tatum to simply sit out all season, and he’s said he is open to that. But as of now, there are still plans to get him back with the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown did not see Tatum practice, but he’s been impressed with what he has seen.

“I didn’t get to watch that one,” Brown said. “But I’ve seen some previous to that, and he looked good, to be honest. He looks like he’s progressing along. He’s checking off all the right boxes. Obviously he needs to take his time to mentally, spiritually, emotionally make sure everything feels right before he makes any decisions. In terms of what I’ve seen, he looks pretty damn good.”

Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney