Felger & Massarotti Celtics Fall to Timberwolves at TD Garden // Has the Celtics Offense Looked Different with Tatum Back? // Jaylen Brown’s Turnovers in Loss to T-Wolves - 3/23 (Hour 1)
Mar 23, 2026
Chris Gasper, Boston sports columnist and analyst who breaks down Celtics tactics and stats. He dissects the loss to the Timberwolves and how Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are fitting together. Discussion covers the offense dipping since Tatum returned, pacing and ball-handling changes, and Brown’s turnovers under pressure.
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Offensive Rating Fell After Tatum Returned
- The Celtics offense has regressed since Jayson Tatum returned, dropping to 17th in offensive rating at 115.1 points per 100 possessions.
- From Nov 4 until Tatum's injury they had the best offensive rating in the NBA (over 120), showing the team evolved differently without him.
Tatum Slowed Pace And Reduced Ball Movement
- Tatum's reintroduction has made the offense more methodical and reduced ball movement and pace, shifting the team away from the drive-and-kick identity they developed without him.
- Chris Gasper says the team prioritized getting Tatum comfortable, which has come at the cost of overall offensive flow.
Protect Team Identity While Giving Tatum Reps
- Keep the current offense that evolved while Tatum was out but allow targeted reps for Tatum rather than reshaping the entire identity around him.
- Gasper argues prioritizing Tatum too much risks undoing a system that maximized other players' strengths.