Mavericks (21-41) at Celtics (41-21) Game #63 3/6/26

[Vermont Green]

If he plays, it is probably better to bring him off the bench. Not the end of the world either way. The rotation for the main guys will be the same. It is guys like Hauser and Scheierman who may have different rotations.  But that is NBA life for guys at that level.

I should clarify, coming off the bench would be the better thing if the objective is winning the game, which it probably is not.  If the primary objective is doing what is best in terms of getting Tatum back into rhythm with the starters, then I think starting him is the best thing.

They should be able to win the game in either case.  Is starting a rusty Tatum better than starting Scheierman?

i dont know the answer to this good question, but i do believe that the celtics will be a better team with scheierman since he is part of the flow and the starters are comfortable with one another.

but we shall see.

I think I agree with you.  Having Tatum jump right in with the starters MAY (and may not) be a little choppy at first.  Rolling with Scheierman would avoid this.  But you need to work through the choppy part at some point.

I think you are saying that Tatum individually, even if rusty, is better than Scheierman, but the starters may not play better as a team with him right out of the chute.  If I have this right, then I agree with this.  I think that is the fundamental trade off.

I guess my final vote is to start him.  Even if it makes this game a little choppy, so be it.  It should help get to the point where it isn't choppy faster.  And it may not even be all that choppy.

[aefgogreen]

He should come off the bench, but I heard an insane stat that apparently in his entire NBA career, Tatum has started in EVERY game he's played (585 out of 585, WOW).

So he'll "start" but I'd be stunned if he played more than 15 minutes in the game. Maybe they'll limit him to 10-15, then keep him out Sunday and just see how he responds.

Tatum doesn't seem like the type to worry about preserving a stat

[tonydelk]

If he plays, it is probably better to bring him off the bench. Not the end of the world either way. The rotation for the main guys will be the same. It is guys like Hauser and Scheierman who may have different rotations.  But that is NBA life for guys at that level.

I should clarify, coming off the bench would be the better thing if the objective is winning the game, which it probably is not.  If the primary objective is doing what is best in terms of getting Tatum back into rhythm with the starters, then I think starting him is the best thing.

They should be able to win the game in either case.  Is starting a rusty Tatum better than starting Scheierman?

i dont know the answer to this good question, but i do believe that the celtics will be a better team with scheierman since he is part of the flow and the starters are comfortable with one another.

but we shall see.

I think I agree with you.  Having Tatum jump right in with the starters MAY (and may not) be a little choppy at first.  Rolling with Scheierman would avoid this.  But you need to work through the choppy part at some point.

I think you are saying that Tatum individually, even if rusty, is better than Scheierman, but the starters may not play better as a team with him right out of the chute.  If I have this right, then I agree with this.  I think that is the fundamental trade off.

I guess my final vote is to start him.  Even if it makes this game a little choppy, so be it.  It should help get to the point where it isn't choppy faster.  And it may not even be all that choppy.

There are two sides to starting JT or having him come off the bench.  If he starts it will disrupt the flow because he will be on a minutes restriction.  How will that affect the play and chemistry until he's at his full limit.  If he comes off the bench there is less pressure but what will that do for JT's confidence?  I don't want him 2nd guessing anything while he is out there.  I imagine coming back there is going to be a lot of fear to play as hard as this team does on a nightly basis.  I would do whatever JT feels would help him mentally the best.  Less pressure or being a starting with that confidence.  I think because it's his first game back he will start even if he's pulled after a few minutes.  The game is on ESPN so I imagine he will be in the starting 5.

[Celtics2021]

I am quite sure the decision on starting Tatum was made a long time ago.  He will be starting eventually, obviously.  Whether he starts in his first game back has been planned by the coaching staff, the training staff, and Tatum for at least a month.  The best version of this team obviously has Tatum starting at some point, and if he is not starting tonight, it is only with a mind toward having him fully recover as opposed to disrupting anything.  As Joe said a month or so ago, getting Tatum back will be disruptive, but it will be a positive disruption. 

[Donoghus]

Still listed as questionable

Taylor Snow
@taylorcsnow
?
1m
Celtics Injury Report Update vs. Dallas (3/6):

Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Walsh - Illness (Non-Covid) - QUESTIONABLE

[Phantom255x]

Still listed as questionable

Taylor Snow
@taylorcsnow
?
1m
Celtics Injury Report Update vs. Dallas (3/6):

Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Walsh - Illness (Non-Covid) - QUESTIONABLE

So much drama! Will Walsh play tonight 

[slamtheking]

Still listed as questionable

Taylor Snow
@taylorcsnow
?
1m
Celtics Injury Report Update vs. Dallas (3/6):

Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Walsh - Illness (Non-Covid) - QUESTIONABLE

So much drama! Will Walsh play tonight 

panic will ensue

[Roy H.]

If he plays, it is probably better to bring him off the bench. Not the end of the world either way. The rotation for the main guys will be the same. It is guys like Hauser and Scheierman who may have different rotations.  But that is NBA life for guys at that level.

I should clarify, coming off the bench would be the better thing if the objective is winning the game, which it probably is not.  If the primary objective is doing what is best in terms of getting Tatum back into rhythm with the starters, then I think starting him is the best thing.

They should be able to win the game in either case.  Is starting a rusty Tatum better than starting Scheierman?

I'd start both Tatum and Scheierman, and bring Hauser off the bench. 

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Are we not going to know JTs status until right before the game? This will be a big determination as to whether or not I head into Boston for this one or list my seat.

[hodgy03038]

I hope it is tonight. But rather than bring him in with PP & Sleepy (Vooch), bring him in alone and listen to the crowd go crazy. I highly expect maybe a max of 15 minutes in his debut but it will be electric. And maybe get some Red Bull for sleepy so he is awake for it.

[Celtics2021]

Are we not going to know JTs status until right before the game? This will be a big determination as to whether or not I head into Boston for this one or list my seat.

My guess is it will be officially official this afternoon, when he shows up to the building.  I expect a Celtics social media post announcing it.  But it is 95% in my book at this time.

[FLCeltsFan]

Ok,  after debating with myself and reading all the opinions since yesterday,  I decided to put Jayson in the starting lineup in place of Sam Hauser, leaving the rest of the starters the same.  This seems to be the consensus opinion.  I can never out guess Joe on his substitutions but I'll go with Tatum starting. 

[Phantom255x]

Ok,  after debating with myself and reading all the opinions since yesterday,  I decided to put Jayson in the starting lineup in place of Sam Hauser, leaving the rest of the starters the same.  This seems to be the consensus opinion.  I can never out guess Joe on his substitutions but I'll go with Tatum starting.

No need to worry lol about the details, you just putting up these amazing GDTs is enough for me 

[Sketch5]

I'm seeing JT is available tonight!

[Celtic Fan Forever]

JT is officially playing! This is the first time I made my way to the garden this season, perfect game for it