Jayson Tatum's 3-pointer vs. Hornets could signal that he's elevating game following Achilles injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — With 5:57 remaining against the Charlotte Hornets, Jayson Tatum sized up forward Miles Bridges at the top of the key, used a ball fake to get the defender off balanced for just a moment and then quickly rose up and buried a 3-pointer without hesitation.

As Hornets coach Charles Lee called for a timeout, Tatum motioned toward some Charlotte fans in the crowd and slapped hands with teammates with a focused looked in his eye as he headed back toward the Celtics bench.

It was the type of play Celtics fans have been waiting for from Tatum since the six-time NBA All-Star returned to action following a torn Achilles last May.

After the game, Tatum was asked by a reporter if it was crazy to say the shot — and his reaction — signaled that he’s back.

“I mean, no, that wouldn’t be crazy to say,” Tatum replied.

In other words, Tatum, now 11 games into his return, is starting to feel it.

Tatum never returned to the game after he gave the Celtics a 16-point lead. He didn't have to — the dagger 3 essentially buried the Hornets.

He finished with a season-high 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting — including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc — to go along with eight assists, five rebounds and a block in 31 minutes of action as Boston beat Charlotte 114-99 in what was perhaps his best game since returning to action in a 120-100 win over Dallas on March 6.

It wasn't just the shot that served as a reminder of how dominant Tatum can be as a player.

He made turn-around jumpers off one foot, beat opponents to the basket on drives, had a rousing two-hand dunk and set up teammates with open looks after drawing double teams, all the while playing with patience and poise.

“I didn’t feel like I was sped up,” Tatum said. “I was still was kind of tired, so that’s something I’m still working through. But I like that I'm being decisive in my movements and exploding when I need to (and) reacting. Obviously it helps when you make shots. I can say I feel better than I did last game. Hopefully I feel better in the next game than I did today.”

Tatum became the youngest player in Celtics history to reach 14,000 points.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on some really good teams, be surrounded by some really good players and coaches on the staff that have empowered me and helped me become the player I am today,” Tatum said.

But he's happier just to be playing basketball again at a high level after a grueling rehabilitation process. The Celtics are happy, too. They are 9-2 since he's returned to the floor.

“I've had to work my (tail) off just to run up and down the floor,” Tatum said.

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, who had 28 points in the win, said Tatum's outing was “encouraging" as the Eastern Conference's second-best team prepares to make a run at an NBA championship.

“He was just very efficient in his movements and got to his spots,” Pritchard said. “He looked like a killer.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, passes over Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) looks to shoot against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, looks to drive against Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trevor Zegras wristed a sharp-angle shot past Casey DeSmith with 1:33 remaining in overtime, leading the hard-charging Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 victory over the slumping Dallas Stars on Sunday night.

Travis Konecny scored in regulation for the Flyers, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. With 86 points, they pulled within two of both Columbus — which is in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference — and Pittsburgh — which is in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Samuel Ersson made 17 saves.

Rookie Arttu Hyry, playing his sixth game since being recalled from Dallas' AHL affiliate, scored the lone goal for the Stars, who are in second place in the Central Division but have lost five of their last six. DeSmith finished with 28 saves.

Konecny gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead on a wraparound shot at the crease for a power-play goal 9:48 into the second period. Philadelphia entered with only a 15.3% success rate on the power play, last in the NHL.

After allowing that goal, DeSmith bounced back later in the period by robbing Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov on another Flyers power play.

Hyry scored his short-handed goal at 17:53 of the second to tie it at 1.

Flyers general manager Danny Briere earlier announced the signing of top 2025 draft pick Porter Martone to a three-year entry level contract. The Michigan State product arrived in the second period Sunday night. Briere indicated it’s possible he could play Tuesday night in Washington, “assuming everything goes according to plan.”

Stars: Visit the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

Flyers: Visit the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras, left, reacts to his game winning goal as Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, right, looks on during overtime of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers right winger Travis Konecny, center, celebrates his goal with tealmmates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers right winger Travis Konecny (11) reacts to his goal against Dallas Stars goalie Casey DeSmith, top center left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras, center, shoots the puck past Dallas Stars goalie Casey DeSmith, left, for the game winning goal as defenseman Miro Heiskanen, right, is defending during overtime of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras, left, reacts to his game winning goal as Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, right, looks on during overtime of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)