Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics (27-16, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (12-30, 13th in the Eastern Conference)New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn enters the matchup against Boston as losers of three games in a row.The Nets are 9-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn gives up 114.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.6 points per game.The Celtics are 6-4 in division games. Boston is 12-10 against opponents over .500.The Nets' 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.3 per game the Celtics allow. The Celtics average 116.8 points per game, 2.3 more than the 114.5 the Nets allow to opponents.The teams play for the third time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 113-105 on Nov. 22. Michael Porter Jr. scored 33 points to help lead the Nets to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Noah Clowney is scoring 13.1 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Nets. Porter is averaging 18.8 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.Jaylen Brown is scoring 29.8 points per game and averaging 6.7 rebounds for the Celtics. Sam Hauser is averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 104.8 points, 39.6 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.1 points per game.Celtics: 6-4, averaging 116.0 points, 49.6 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points.INJURIES: Nets: Haywood Highsmith: out (knee).Celtics: Josh Minott: day to day (ankle), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton both tore their Achilles in the 2025 playoffs

After Jayson Tatum's conspicuous workout during Monday's shootaround, Chris Forsberg ponders potential return dates for the Celtics star.

Indiana Pacers (10-34, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (26-16, second in the Eastern Conference)Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: The Indiana Pacers take on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference action Wednesday.The Celtics are 19-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston averages 116.7 points while outscoring opponents by 6.7 points per game.The Pacers are 7-22 against conference opponents. Indiana has a 4-27 record against teams over .500.The Celtics average 116.7 points per game, 1.6 fewer points than the 118.3 the Pacers give up. The Pacers average 110.1 points per game, 0.1 more than the 110.0 the Celtics give up to opponents.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Pacers won the last matchup 98-96 on Jan. 13. Pascal Siakam scored 21 points to help lead the Pacers to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is shooting 39.1% and averaging 17.7 points for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 27.8 points over the last 10 games.Siakam is averaging 23.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Andrew Nembhard is averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 116.1 points, 48.2 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points per game.Pacers: 4-6, averaging 110.1 points, 42.4 rebounds, 29.2 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.INJURIES: Celtics: Josh Minott: day to day (ankle), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin: day to day (thumb), Obi Toppin: out (foot), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Tatum took the floor for a 45-minute workout in Birmingham, Michigan and continues to show impressive signs of progress as he eyes a return this season.