Jayson Tatum’s comments should scare the NBA

On Thursday, the Boston Celtics started 2025 with an impressive 118-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis both missed the game due to injury. However, a cohesive performance from Joe Mazzulla’s team helped power it to a confidence-boosting win.

Shortly after the game, Jayson Tatum told TNT’s Allie LaForce that Boston aims to rediscover its identity during January.

“We’ve had a rough stretch the last eight or nine games,” Tatum said. “This January, we’re trying to turn it around and get back to our identity. What better way to come in on the road, at a tough environment against a really good team, down two of your best players? The way that we responded and just figured out a way to win, you’ll take that any day.”

The Celtics are currently second in the Eastern Conference. Mazzulla’s team has been without its core rotation for more than 90% of the season. Yet, despite consistent hurdles, Boston has found ways to secure wins at an elite rate. 

Tatum’s declaration that the Celtics aim to rediscover the identity that propelled them to the 2024 championship sounds like a battle cry. It’s a warning to every other team in the league that the Celtics are still improving. If they’re making this much noise without a fully healthy roster, they’re going to be borderline unstoppable when healthy. 

Currently, only the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers look capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Celtics. If its defense returns to a league-leading level, Boston will once again be head and shoulders above everyone else. 

It’s easy to gloss over the Celtics’ injury issues this season. After all, they’re still one of the best teams in the league. But if Tatum is telling the truth, some front offices may want to look for upgrades in the coming weeks. If not, the Celtics could be good value for a repeat of their championship success. They’re too talented to ignore, and now, they’re locking back in.