The NBA tile race may just start to shake up even more. Talks of Jayson Tatum returning as early as Friday to play against the Mavs have begun circulating. After missing the entire first half of the season due to injury, it’s been announced that Jayson Tatum will be questionable for Friday’s showdown with Dallas.

Let’s not think that the Celtics are nothing without Tatum, despite being without the Celtic superstar — and trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday — the Celtics have performed much better than expected. The team sits near the top of the Eastern Conference, with forward Jaylen Brown in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. So if anything seeing how the team is performing right now adding a healthy fully recovered Tatum would be even more dangerous.

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Last season, before his injury, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. With the Playoffs fast approaching,Tatums recovery going at a steady pace, as well as if the team can get him back to full strength in time for the playoffs, the Celtics could be bound for a miraculous championship run during a year most wrote the team off.

Will the Celtics be the team to beat in the East now that Tatum is coming back?

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