Overview
- Boston opened its first-round series with a 123-91 win over Philadelphia, as Tatum delivered 25 points, 11 rebounds and a near triple-double in limited fourth-quarter minutes.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Tatum’s rebounding and frequent defensive matchup switches, calling those efforts a major factor in the blowout.
- Tatum said a controlled scrimmage stint with the G League’s Maine Celtics was the moment he realized a same-season return from his torn Achilles was possible.
- The All-Star noted he is still rehabbing and ramping up after only 16 regular-season games since his March return, with conditioning as a daily focus.
- Coverage from Yahoo Sports and others frames Boston as an Eastern Conference favorite, pointing to Tatum’s rapid recovery and the team’s strong culture as drivers.