The Athletic NBA Daily Will Jayson Tatum return for the Celtics this season?
Dec 12, 2025
Jay King, an NBA reporter for The Athletic covering the Boston Celtics, dives into the team's unexpected competitiveness this season. He analyzes the recent loss to the Bucks, highlighting Boston's struggles with shooting and defense. King discusses Jalen Brown's evolution as a key playmaker and the emergence of Jordan Walsh. The centerpiece of the conversation focuses on Jayson Tatum's rehab progress post-Achilles surgery and the potential timelines for his return this season, speculating on how his comeback would reshape the Celtics' prospects.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
End-Game Reviews Are Killing Watchability
- Late-game reviews and intentional fouling are lengthening and hurting NBA game entertainment.
- Esfandiar and Dave argue the league should change rules to discourage take fouls on 3-point leads.
Steph Raises Warriors' Ceiling
- Steph Curry meaningfully raises Golden State's offensive ceiling when healthy.
- The Warriors are ~10 points per 100 possessions better offensively with Curry on the floor this season.
Celtics Win Possessions, Not Just Shots
- The Celtics have shifted to protect possessions by taking care of the ball and crashing the offensive glass.
- That approach kept their offense top-10 even during extended cold shooting stretches.