The Boston Celtics kept their hot streak alive Monday night, securing their fifth straight win by taking down the Utah Jazz. But they had to do it without Jayson Tatum, who sat out with a lingering knee issue. Now, all eyes are on their next matchup—a must-watch clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the second-best record in the league, OKC has been dominating the Western Conference and will be looking to make a statement against the defending champs.

Boston, on the other hand, might not be at full strength for this heavyweight showdown.

Tatum, still dealing with right knee tendinopathy, is questionable for Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. rematch at TD Garden. If he’s out, the Celtics will need to dig deep against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder which is eager to prove they belong among the league’s elite.

Tatum has missed five games this season but has yet to sit out consecutive matchups. While his status isn’t official, the Celtics listing him as questionable suggests he could keep that streak alive against the Thunder.

So far in the 2024-25 season, Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. He’s shooting 45.5% from the field, 35.5% from three, and 80.4% from the free-throw line, with a true shooting percentage of 58.8%. Logging 36.5 minutes per game, he remains a key force for Boston.

Along with the 5x All-Star, Jaylen Brown is listed as probable with a right knee posterior impingement, seems good to go. He played against the Jazz while Tatum rested, so chances are both will be on the floor Wednesday night.

Kristaps Porziņgis, on the other hand, still isn’t in the clear. The illness that’s kept him sidelined doesn’t seem to be letting up, and he’s once again questionable. While his absence is a concern, the Celtics have shown time and time again that their depth and chemistry can carry them through adversity.

That chemistry is one of the biggest reasons Boston remains the team to beat this season. A perfect example? The bond between Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, who have spent six seasons together building a strong connection both on and off the court.

Jayson Tatum gifts Al Horford new custom kicks

With more than half the season behind them, the C’s have made one thing clear—they’re still the team to beat. As defending champions, expectations were already high, but they’ve continued proving why the road to the 2025 title runs through Boston.

A big part of their success comes from chemistry, and few duos showcase that better than Tatum and Horford. Now in their sixth season as teammates, their bond extends beyond the court. That connection was on display recently when Tatum gifted Horford custom sneakers inspired by his Florida Gators days. Horford shared the moment on Instagram, and Celtics insider Noa Dalzell later posted it on X.

Horford’s legacy at Florida speaks for itself. From 2004 to 2007, he helped lead the Gators to back-to-back NCAA championships while stacking up individual honors. His college success led to him being selected third overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

Since then, Horford has built an impressive NBA c

areer. A five-time All-Star and 2024 champion, he remains a crucial piece for Boston even at 38. With Tatum leading the way, the Celtics are once again in title contention.

At 47-18, Boston ranks near the top in nearly every major stat. They sit seventh in scoring, third in defense, and top three in both offensive and net ratings. As the playoffs near, the Celtics look locked in for another deep run—maybe with Horford rocking those custom kicks.