Surprise Celtics and renewed 76ers primed for Eastern Conference playoff matchup
Two years ago, the Boston Celtics were about to begin a playoff run that would end with them raising a record 18th NBA championship. Two years later, Jayson Tatum, one of the centerpieces of that team, enters the postseason with a much different perspective. “I think more of a sense of gratitude than ever,” Tatum said.
“Not that I took it for granted. But when something is taken away from you, it just means a little bit more. ” It was 48 weeks ago that the Celtics’ title defense was upended after Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks.
It’s been a little over a month since the six-time All-Star’s return to the court after just shy of 10 months of rehabilitation. That, coupled with an overachieving Celtics team that earned a No. 2 seed playing in all but 16 games without the star, have again put Boston into championship contention.
That quest begins Sunday against a Philadelphia 76ers team that will open the series without big man Joel Embiid, who is still recuperating following an appendectomy on April 9. “We’ve just got to take it one day at a time, don’t take anything for granted and just come out ready to go every single night,” said Celtics star Jaylen Brown, whose career efforts in points (28. 7), rebounds (6.
9) and assists (5. 1) have carried the team in Tatum’s absence. Tatum said the nine-year partnership he’s had alongside Brown is the reason he’s enjoyed so much success so far during his career.
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