It took Jayson Tatum just one playoff half to silence any remaining doubters

Jayson Tatum’s return from his devastating achilles injury has gone better than anyone could have imagined at every turn, but there was still a slight air of doubt before seeing it in the playoffs. Despite having a few playoff-like settings, notably the win over the Thunder, there’s something to be said for the change in intensity and emotions for the actual playoffs.

In game one of the Celtics’ round one series against the 76ers, JT more than answered the bell, coming right out of the gates with a loud statement to the rest of the league. 

Tatum put forth his best half of basketball since returning in early March, going for 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals on 7/11 shooting in 19 minutes, with his Celtics leading, 64-46 at recess.

Beyond the numbers, Tatum passed the eye-test with flying colors, dominating on both ends of the floor, controlling the game, and looking like the best player on the floor for either team. Most impressively, he flashed a little bit of everything.

It wasn’t like he just got on a heater and knocked down a bunch of threes; in fact, it was quite the opposite. He shot just 1/4 from behind the three-point line, but did everything else. He punctured the paint, getting to the elbow and abusing smaller defenders in the midrange.

Tatum looked like vintage Tatum

He got all the way to the basket, crossing up a defender trying to help on a screen, and got all the way to the hoop for a dunk. He drew fouls, knocking down 6/6 free throws. And he was masterful on defense, not only controlling the glass, but constantly switching onto Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, and staying right with them.

It was a total Tatum takeover, and a bit of a masterclass for a player who is defying the odds by even returning to action this season. Sitting out the final two games of the regular season, then getting a week off for the play-in tournament, has clearly given him a renewed freshness, but this looks like something more than that.

 If he’s able to continue at this level, looking like a more composed floor general than ever, while taking advantage of whatever the defense is giving him, and not missing a beat on the defensive end as well, it really might be over for the East.

All told, JT finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in 32 minutes as the Celtics pulled away for a comfortable blowout, game one win. It’s only one game against an ailing Philly team that Boston is supposed to pummel, but still, this was good to see. There’s obviously still a lot of work to be done, but anyone who was still doubting whether or not Tatum would be up for the challenge of playoff basketball can move on to other concerns.

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