The vibes in Boston are... complicated. On one hand, the Celtics are sitting pretty with a 25-15 record, holding down the 3rd seed in a wild Eastern Conference. On the other, the shadow of Jayson Tatum’s empty seat on the bench is getting longer. If you’re looking for the latest Boston Celtics news now, the headline isn't just about who’s out—it’s about the guy who just dropped 39 points on Miami’s head to save a game that looked like a total disaster.
Anfernee Simons. Seriously.
When Brad Stevens pulled the trigger on the summer moves that brought Simons to town, everyone knew the scoring upside was there. But nobody expected he’d be the one carrying the torch while Tatum recovers from that May 2025 Achilles surgery. The rehab is moving, sure, but the news from the 4:15 PM ET injury report today confirms what fans feared: Tatum is officially out for tonight’s clash against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
The Simons Surge and the Hawks Headache
It’s kinda crazy how fast things move in the NBA. Just 48 hours ago, the Celtics were down 19 points against the Heat. The offense looked stagnant, and Jaylen Brown was fighting through a tough shooting night. Then Simons just took over. 39 points.
He’s basically been the engine since December. With Payton Pritchard now ruled out for tonight with left ankle soreness—the first game he’s missed all season—the pressure on Simons and Derrick White to create is massive. White has been a rock, averaging 18.4 points and 1.5 blocks (insane for a guard, honestly), but he can’t do it alone.
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Tonight’s matchup in Atlanta is a bit of a "hospital ball" special. The Hawks are missing Trae Young (MCL sprain) and, interestingly, former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis. Seeing Porzingis in a Hawks jersey is still weird, but he’s sitting this one out with Achilles tendinitis.
Why the Celtics Defense is Still Elite
Even without their MVP candidate in Tatum, Joe Mazzulla has this team grinding. They are currently 2nd in the league in points allowed (110.2 PPG). A big reason for that? Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
- Neemias Queta: He’s averaging 8.3 boards and has become a legitimate rim protector.
- Luka Garza: He just played 28 minutes against Miami, chipping in 11 points and 4 rebounds. He’s officially snatched that backup center spot from Josh Minott (who is also out with an ankle sprain).
The Celtics are 3.5-point favorites tonight, but without Pritchard’s spark off the bench, the rotation is getting thin. Expect Hugo González or maybe even Ron Harper Jr. to see some "emergency" minutes if the foul trouble gets hairy.
Trade Rumors: Is Jaren Jackson Jr. Actually Possible?
You can't talk about Boston Celtics news now without touching on the deadline buzz. The Feb. 5 deadline is approaching, and the rumors are getting spicy. Heavy.com and others have been floating a "bombshell" idea involving Memphis star Jaren Jackson Jr.
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Is it realistic? Maybe not. But the logic is there. The Celtics have Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring deal and Sam Hauser’s $10 million contract as chips. If Brad Stevens thinks this roster needs one more elite defensive anchor to win a ring without a 100% Tatum, he might swing for the fences.
More likely targets? Day’Ron Sharpe from the Brooklyn Nets. Jay King over at The Athletic mentioned him as a budget-friendly option. Sharpe is 24, cheap, and eats rebounds for breakfast. He’d be the perfect insurance policy for a frontcourt that's currently relying on Queta and Garza to log heavy minutes.
What to Watch for Tonight
If you're tuning into the game at 7:30 PM ET on NBC Sports Boston, keep an eye on Jaylen Brown's aggression. He’s averaging 29.4 points, but he’s been a bit "pass-first" lately. Against a lanky Hawks defense, the Celtics need him to be the alpha.
Also, watch the bench scoring. With Pritchard and Minott out, the second unit is basically a mystery box. If Simons starts in Pritchard's place, the bench loses its primary creator. This is where Sam Hauser has to stop being just a "spacer" and actually hunt his shot.
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How to Handle the Celtics Mid-Season Slump
Look, every team hits a wall in January. The Celtics are 6-4 in their last ten. It’s not perfect, but it’s winning basketball. If you’re following the team closely, here is how to navigate the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Tatum Timeline: Don't believe every "return date" you see on Twitter. The team is being ultra-cautious because of the nature of Achilles repairs. January 19 (Detroit) is the next "maybe," but don't be shocked if it's February.
- Watch the Simons/White Chemistry: This backcourt is the bridge to the playoffs. Their ability to switch on defense is what keeps the Celtics in games when the shots aren't falling.
- Check the Standings: The Knicks and Pistons (yes, the Pistons) are actually ahead of Boston right now. The Atlantic Division is a dogfight.
The Celtics are in a "hold the line" phase. They have the talent to beat anyone—as they showed in Sacramento and Los Angeles earlier this month—but the margin for error is razor-thin without #0 on the floor.
Keep an eye on the official 5:00 PM ET injury updates for the Detroit game on Monday. If Pritchard can return quickly, the bench stabilizes. If not, the Simons-Brown-White trio is going to have to play 38+ minutes a night just to keep the 3rd seed secure.
Go watch the Hawks game tonight. It’s going to be ugly, scrappy, and probably way closer than it should be, but that’s Celtics basketball in 2026. Stay locked into the local beat reporters like Taylor Snow and Zack Cox for the real-time shifts in the rotation.