Tatum has played in all seven of the Celtics’ games so far this season. He’s averaging 27 points, six rebounds and 7.9 assists while shooting 41.8 per cent from the field.

The choice to rest Tatum could be due to him appearing in just 16 regular-season games last season due to a torn Achilles suffered in the 2025 playoffs. It also works to sit him against the lowly 1-6 Bucks.

Before 2025-26, Tatum had been mostly healthy, never appearing in fewer than 64 games in a campaign.

Boston is off to a hot start to 2026-27 at 5-2 and second in the Atlantic Division.