Kevin Durant Dominates Celtics as Jayson Tatum’s Rehab Progress Sparks Hope

In a commanding performance at TD Garden, Kevin Durant led the Houston Rockets to a 128-101 blowout victory over the Boston Celtics, showcasing his elite scoring ability with 26 points in just 30 minutes. The Rockets took full control early, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Durant was efficient, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, but he was matched by strong contributions from teammates like Alperen Şengün, who nearly had a triple-double.

The Celtics, playing their third game in four days, couldn't find a rhythm. Jaylen Brown had 12 points but five turnovers, symptomatic of a fatigued Boston team that never found its rhythm. Jayson Tatum, still recovering from a torn Achilles, was sorely missed. Without their star forward, the Celtics didn't have enough punch on offense or stability on defense.

Durant, who famously battled an Achilles injury himself, offered some insight into Tatum's recovery. "He looks great. I wasn't dunking five months in," Durant said, highlighting how far along Tatum was and how far sports medicine has come. He has shared rehab clips online, including a video of him dunking, which did much to improve the mood for a mid-season return.

Despite the defeat, Celtics fans were reassured through good news about Tatum. Similarly, his presence during community events shows his commitment to recovery and leadership. Boston needs to rebuild, and there's a hope that when Tatum comes back, the spark for the season will be again ignited.