Jayson Tatum Makes Strong Brandon Miller Prediction After Celtics-Hornets

Jayson Tatum had 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists in 29:02 Friday night at Spectrum Center, where the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 119-80. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Across the floor, Brandon Miller scored 8 points in the first quarter and left in the second with right groin soreness. He did not return.

Tatum, who came back in March from a ruptured Achilles tendon, said he knows how tough Miller's road back to health has been.

"I think [it's] the way he's reading the game, reading defenses," Tatum said. "He's understanding his spots. He's making some quicker decisions. Obviously, he's gotten stronger. He's worked on his game obviously since he first came into this league. Happy to see him healthy now. I [know how] tough that can be, but he's [got] a lot of talent and a really bright future, and excited to see where he takes it."

Miller had surgery on his left shoulder May 6. The subluxation behind it happened in a game at Philadelphia early last season and kept him out 13 games. In January 2025, a torn ligament in his right wrist ended his season after 27 appearances.

He entered Friday averaging 22.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over nine games. On Oct. 19, he and the Hornets agreed to a five-year, $209 million extension.

Hornets coach Charles Lee said the team will evaluate Miller over the weekend and expects to have more information Monday, when Charlotte hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tatum ruptured his Achilles on May 12, 2025, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. He returned March 6 against the Dallas Mavericks and had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 120-100 win.

Tatum played both ends of a recent back-to-back to test himself, and he is still chasing the way he felt before the injury.

"Hell no. I wish," Tatum explained. "I'm getting there, but no. How I felt before I got hurt was I felt really, really good. I don't feel too far. And again, I've still only played probably less than 40 games since I've been back, so I'm still in the quote-unquote rehab phase of the [return] to play. I still got a little ways to go to get back to being the best I ever felt. We gonna get there though."

Tatum scored 18 points in the first quarter on 6-of-11 shooting. He had 24 by halftime, when Boston led 70-39.

He finished 9-of-16 from the field, 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and 11-of-11 at the free throw line. Eight of the free throws came in the third quarter.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he told Tatum he should have finished with 10 rebounds. Tatum had 8.

"I thought usually to have the half that you have, it probably comes at the expense of some heat checks or bad shots," Mazzulla said. "But I don't think he took one in the first half, and I thought the game found him. I thought he was very patient. I thought he made the right play. Thought almost every shot he took was a great shot, and he was extremely efficient."

"What I liked more was his third-quarter effort," Mazzulla continued. "I told him [at] halftime, first-half greatness, everyone's gonna focus on your points, but care about how you compete in a situation like this. And so his third-quarter defense was super impactful for us."

Tatum had a steal and a block in the third quarter. Boston won the period 26-18.

Tatum arrived in North Carolina at 18, his first real stretch away from home.

"It definitely feels like home," Tatum said. "I have a lot of connections here in this state, this area. I came here as an 18-year-old kid, my first time spending real time away from home. I was here for a little under a year, and obviously the connection I have with Duke and the relationships that I've been able to build, I always love coming back to North Carolina and love playing here. And a lot of Celtics fans, a lot of Duke fans, so it was always a good time coming back."

Two current Hornets also played at Duke. Grayson Allen started Friday and went scoreless in 21:35, and Kon Knueppel missed the game with a left hamstring strain.

Tatum's ties run to Duke players older than him and to the ones in the program now.

"I think so. It's even surprised me," Tatum said. "I didn't think my bond would be this strong with Duke when I chose to go there. But I'm glad the way that that has worked out. I take a lot of pride in being a part of that program and going there and the relationships that I've been able to build with the guys way older than me, and the guys going through the program now. It's really a special place. Very thankful I'm a part of."

This is Tatum's 10th season. Boston is 7-2, and Charlotte has lost six straight to fall to 3-7.

The Hornets host Cleveland at 7 p.m. ET on Monday.