
Jayson Tatum and the shorthanded Boston Celtics secured their 50th win of the 2025-26 NBA season on Sunday, taking down Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets 114-99 on the road without both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. With the win, the Celtics jumped to 50-24 on the season and, for the 12th-straight year, have secured a spot in the NBA Playoffs.
Tatum, playing in his 11th game since returning from an Achilles tear, had arguably his best performance. The former Duke Blue Devils star tallied a season-high 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting and 5-of-10 from 3-point range, along with five rebounds, eight assists and a block. Payton Pritchard added 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting, six rebounds and six assists.
Now, the Celtics will gear up for the second night of a back-to-back, remaining on the road to face Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Boston and Atlanta met just a few days ago on Friday, with the Celtics taking a 109-102 win at TD Garden. In that game, once again without Brown, Tatum was able to tally 26 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
But with the Hawks matchup marking the Celtics’ second game in as many days, Boston has elected to give Tatum time to rest, ruling him out against Atlanta due to Achilles management. Center Nikola Vucevic will also continue to miss time with a fractured right finger, while starting center Neemias Queta is listed as doubtful with a thumb sprain.
While some key Celtics players may be ruled out, they will be getting some help back, as Brown has been removed from the injury report, while White has been listed as probable with a knee contusion.
Celtics Injury Report vs. Atlanta (3/30):
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 30, 2026
Ron Harper Jr - R Ankle Sprain - QUESTIONABLE
Neemias Queta - R Thumb Sprain - Doubtful
Jayson Tatum - R Achilles Repair Management - OUT
Nikola Vucevic - R Ring Finger Fracture - OUT
Derrick White - R Knee Contusion - PROBABLE
Celtics vs. Hawks will begin on Monday at 7:30 p.m ET, then Boston will head south for a matchup with the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
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