Celtics' Payton Pritchard stats amaze NBA fans as Boston guard keeps making personal history One side effect of Jayson Tatum's injury absence this season for the Boston Celtics has been the way it has allowed Payton Pritchard to shine extra bright.

The Celtics wing depth looked like their biggest question mark entering the 2025-26 season. Just two months later, it looks like a surprise area of strength, with rookie Hugo Gonzalez being one of the main reasons why.

As the trade window opens, Boston’s strong start has clarified how the Celtics could approach the center market moving forward.

Jayson Tatum has reportedly accelerated his timeline for return to NBA action. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Tatum will be back this season for the Celtics. “He told me he’s coming back this season,” Chris Haynes reportedly said during his latest appearance on the SiriusXM radio show.

The Spurs are 4-1 over the last five games and advancing in the NBA Cup after a win over the Lakers. Since losing Victor Wembanyama for 12 games, the Spurs have gone 9-3 compared to 7-4 with him. San Antonio boasts the seventh-best offensive rating over the last 12 games, but ranks 22nd in defensive rating without their franchise player.

Follow along with the best of a five-game night in the NBA, headlined by Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown facing off in Pistons-Celtics.

Does it make sense for Boston to be buyers this season with an NBA title almost certainly not in the cards even if Tatum makes it back on the court?

At 15-11 without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics find themselves in an interesting position two months out from the NBA trade deadline.

Gonzalez recorded 10 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two steals and one block over 27 minutes during Boston's 112-96 win over Toronto on Saturday.