Tatum Scores 34 as Celtics Chase Winning Streak
Jayson Tatum put up 34 points against the Charlotte Hornets while continuing his return from a torn Achilles.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Jayson Tatum scored 34 points on November 6 against the Charlotte Hornets, shooting 56.3% from the field and 62.5% from three-point range. The Celtics next face the Milwaukee Bucks on November 8.
Why it matters
Tatum's output comes as Boston manages his workload carefully following his torn Achilles, with the Celtics seeking to keep him fresh deeper into the season. His performance offers an early sign of how close he is to full strength in Boston's rotation.
Tatum is averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 8 assists per game this season while shooting 43.3% from the field. Paul George ranks third in the NBA in deflections and is shooting 42.9% on 5.3 catch-and-shoot threes per game.
The players
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is a Boston Celtics forward and a multiple-time All-Star who tore his Achilles and is working his way back to full strength.
Paul George
Paul George is a veteran NBA wing known for perimeter defense and his ability to generate deflections and catch-and-shoot three-point attempts.
The details
Tatum was rested for the Celtics' 109-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on November 4 and has appeared in eight of Boston's first nine games. After the Charlotte game he was asked whether he feels back to his best following the Achilles tear, and he said he has not yet returned to that level.
Timeline
November 4: Tatum rested in Celtics' 109-102 win over Milwaukee.
November 6: Tatum scores 34 points against the Charlotte Hornets.
November 8: Celtics face the Milwaukee Bucks again.
Season Trajectory
Boston's decision to rest Tatum in a regular-season win fits the careful workload approach NBA teams have adopted with stars returning from Achilles tears. Early-season production like Tatum's 34-point night shapes the Celtics' position in the East as they try to keep their top scorer healthy for the postseason.
Tatum's 34-point game and his eight-game appearance pattern help fantasy managers gauge how often he will be on the floor during Boston's early schedule. Rest decisions like the November 4 sit-out are worth tracking when setting lineups around the Celtics' back-to-back games.
The takeaway
Tatum's workload and production over the next several games will show how close Boston is to the version of him that existed before the Achilles injury. Fans and fantasy managers should watch his minutes and shot profile as the season progresses.
What happens next
The Celtics face the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, November 8, with Milwaukee having won only once in its first nine games.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Basketball coverage of the Boston Celtics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
