Joe Mazzulla’s candid response about Jayson Tatum: Despite reshaping the team’s roster amid a long-term Jayson Tatum injury — and a scramble to cut salary in the past offseason — the Celtics are where they normally are: right in contention.
Boston currently finds itself second in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Pistons. It’s a somewhat remarkable development given that the Celtics have achieved this despite not having the services of Tatum.
The six-time All-Star has been out since suffering a ruptured Achiles tendon last May. The 27-year-old has continued to move through his rehab, and could return to the court before the end of the season.