With this version of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are ready to contend

TL;DR

Jayson Tatum has returned to elite form after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, significantly boosting the Boston Celtics' chances as contenders in the Eastern Conference. His all-around play is enhancing both the offense and defense for Boston.

Key points

Jayson Tatum missed almost a year due to a torn Achilles tendon
Tatum is playing at an elite level on both sides of the ball
His return has made the Celtics genuine contenders in the Eastern Conference
Boston may face the New York Knicks in the playoffs

Boston CelticsJayson TatumNew York Knicks

If you were to tune into your first-ever Boston Celtics game this week, you would never know Jayson Tatum missed almost a whole year due to a torn Achilles tendon. Outside of his inconsistent shooting, he's playing at an elite level on both sides of the ball. He's controlling the glass, creating for others, and making timely reads that help Boston both control and dictate the tempo of the game. Sooner or later, Tatum's shooting struggles will level out, too. Once that happens, it won't be long until we're discussing him as a top-five talent in the NBA once again. That's how good he's been. The fact he's reached that level so soon after returning to the rotation is wildly impressive. Not only has Tatum given the Celtics some additional gravity on the offensive end, but he's also bolstered the defense with size, length and high IQ. With all of this in mind, ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently declared that getting this current version of Tatum back into the rotation has elevated Boston into a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference, assuming he can stay healthy, of course. Still, it's worth noting that Boston will need to navigate a postseason run that already has them on a collision course with the New York Knicks, should both teams make it out of the first round. If you're interested, you can hear Bontemps' full thoughts by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch or listen to the "Celtics Chronicle" podcast on: YouTube: Spotify: Apple: Substack: *This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: With Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are ready to contend*

Q&A

How has Jayson Tatum performed since returning from injury?

Since returning, Jayson Tatum has played at an elite level, contributing significantly on both offense and defense despite some shooting inconsistencies.

What impact does Jayson Tatum's return have on the Celtics' playoff chances?

Tatum's return has elevated the Celtics into genuine contenders in the Eastern Conference, provided he maintains his health.

Which team are the Celtics likely to face in the playoffs?

The Celtics are on a collision course to potentially face the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.