BOSTON, MA – The Boston Celtics are rolling, and Jayson Tatum is rewriting history along the way.
Jaylen Brown jumps to 10th on Celtics’ scoring list in win over Warriors
On Wednesday night at TD Garden, the Celtics demolished the Golden State Warriors 120-99, extending their winning streak to three games and improving to 46-23 on the season. It was a statement win against a depleted Warriors squad, but more importantly, it was another step forward in Tatum’s remarkable return from an Achilles injury that cost him most of the 2025-26 campaign.
And in the process, Tatum etched his name into the NBA record books.
The Historic Night
Tatum finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 31 minutes of efficient basketball. He shot 7-of-15 from the field and 5-of-11 from three-point range, showing the kind of range and confidence that made him a champion in 2024.
But it wasn’t just the numbers—it was what they represented.
According to Real App, Tatum now has the fourth-most games in NBA history with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five made three-pointers. That’s elite company. That’s the kind of stat line that separates good players from legends.
Think about the names ahead of him. Think about the players who’ve dominated this league for decades. Tatum is now in that conversation.
The Return, Game by Game
Tatum has now played six games since returning to action on March 6. The numbers tell a story of steady progress:
20.7 points per game
8.5 rebounds per game
4.0 assists per game
1.2 steals per game
41.7% shooting from the field
He’s not all the way back yet. The shooting percentage is slightly below his career norms, and the three-point stroke is still finding its rhythm. But he’s getting there. Every game, he looks more comfortable. Every game, he looks more like the Tatum who led the Celtics to a championship.
Real App also noted that Tatum is top ten in 20-point games across the entire NBA since his return. That’s remarkable for a player who missed ten months and was supposed to be eased back into action.
Instead, he’s hit the ground running.
The Warriors’ Nightmare
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a competitive game. The Warriors, already without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, were overmatched from the opening tip. Kristaps Porzingis played against his former team, but even his 17 points couldn’t keep Golden State within striking distance.
The Celtics led by as many as 28 points. They controlled the glass, shared the ball, and played the kind of stifling defense that defined their 2024 title run. It was a masterclass in execution against a team that simply couldn’t keep up.
Golden State falls to 33-36, still clinging to the ninth seed in the Western Conference. But with Curry reportedly close to returning, there’s at least a glimmer of hope in the Bay Area.
What’s Next for Boston
The Celtics don’t have time to dwell on the win. On Friday night, they’ll travel to Memphis for a showdown with the Grizzlies. It’s another test against a young, athletic team that’s fighting for playoff positioning in the West.
For Boston, every game matters down the stretch. They’re currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but the race is tight. The Cleveland Cavaliers are breathing down their necks. The Milwaukee Bucks are lurking. Home-court advantage in the playoffs is on the line.
With Tatum playing like this and Jaylen Brown continuing his MVP-caliber season, the Celtics look like a team that could make another deep run.
The Bigger Picture
Achilles injuries are supposed to end careers. At the very least, they’re supposed to derail them. Players don’t come back from Achilles ruptures and immediately start putting up 20-point, 10-rebound games. They don’t join elite historical lists within weeks of returning to the floor.
But Jayson Tatum isn’t like most players.
He’s a champion. He’s a leader. He’s a worker. And he’s proving, night after night, that the injury that could have defined his career is just another obstacle he’s overcome.
“That’s his makeup. That’s his DNA,” Devin Booker said earlier this week.
Booker was right.
The Bottom Line
The Celtics are 46-23. They’ve won three straight. They’re playing their best basketball at the perfect time.
Jayson Tatum is back, and he’s making history.
The Warriors are in the rearview mirror. The Grizzlies are next.
And the rest of the NBA is on notice.