As the Boston Celtics continue their strong push toward the playoffs, fans have plenty to be excited about. With a solid 49-24 record and four wins in their last five games, the team is well on track to secure a high seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, as they prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, there is growing curiosity about whether Jayson Tatum will be on the floor. The Celtics are looking to maintain their momentum while navigating an increasingly crowded injury report.
The matchup in Charlotte represents a key opportunity for Boston to refine its rotations. With several starters currently listed as questionable, the depth of the roster will be tested against a Hornets team looking to play spoiler at home.
Jayson Tatum’s Injury Status and Availability Against the Hornets
There is some discouraging news for Celtics fans before Sunday’s game. According to the latest injury report from ESPN, Tatum is questionable for the contest due to right Achilles repair management. The team has been cautious with his workload following his return from major surgery.
Tatum’s struggles were evident in his last outing against the Atlanta Hawks. He missed five layups, managed only five points in the opening quarter, and then went cold in the second quarter, missing all seven of his shot attempts. These shooting slumps have occasionally cropped up as he regains his full rhythm.
Still, he provided a strong effort in that performance. He ended the game with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, helping Boston pull out a 109-102 win. Even on a rough shooting night, the All-Forward delivered when it mattered most for the Celtics’ late-game execution.
His recent recovery may have led to some of these ups and downs. Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA playoffs on May 12 and underwent surgery the very next day. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of that postseason run.
His return to action on March 6 was much quicker than expected, coming roughly 10 months after the injury. While his comeback has been impressive, it is natural for players to experience lingering effects after such a serious procedure. Tatum made it clear that his decision to return early was driven by his desire to help the team.
“It was a range of emotions, of things I was dealing with and contemplating and thinking about. Obviously, physically getting cleared by everybody. And a lot of it had to do with where the team was at, and never wanting to take moments in a season for granted, just thinking like, ‘Oh, we’ll be good next year,’” Tatum said regarding his comeback.
Tatum is not the only player dealing with health concerns in Boston. The current injury list also includes:
- Derrick White: Questionable (Right Knee Contusion)
- Jaylen Brown: Questionable (Left Achilles Tendinitis)
- Neemias Queta: Questionable (Right Thumb Sprain)
- Nikola Vucevic: Out (Right Ring Finger Fracture)
If Tatum is ultimately ruled out, players like Payton Pritchard, who is averaging 16.9 points per game, will need to take on a bigger offensive role. Pritchard has been a spark plug for the bench unit throughout the season and has proven capable of handling increased minutes.
Analyzing the Charlotte Hornets Squad and Matchup Outlook
Charlotte is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-34 record. While they are well behind Boston in the standings, the Hornets are fighting to solidify their own postseason positioning. Their injury report is significantly cleaner than that of the Celtics, as only Tidjane Salaun is listed as out.
With a mostly healthy roster, players like Miles Bridges, who is averaging 19.4 points per game against high-profile opponents recently, could give the Celtics trouble. Bridges has been a consistent scoring threat and a versatile defender for Charlotte throughout the spring.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 PM ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. For a Celtics team dealing with several key injuries, this road test will require a disciplined defensive effort to overcome a rested Hornets squad.
