Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets final injury report (April 11, 2025): Is Jayson Tatum playing tonight?

The Boston Celtics have removed superstar forward Jayson Tatum from the injury report ahead of their Friday night matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. After sitting out the first meeting between the two teams, Tatum is set to return as the Celtics fine-tune their roster for the playoffs.

With the regular season winding down, Boston has little left to play for after securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Their first-round playoff opponent will be the winner of the second Play-In Tournament game. Despite the lack of stakes, the team remains focused on maintaining momentum.
Key points:
- The Celtics rested several players in their previous game against the Orlando Magic.
- Jayson Tatum’s return signals confidence in his recovery.
- Boston ranks third in the NBA in net rating, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers.


Tatum is Boston’s best player, and his health is critical for their title defense. The Celtics aim to become the first team in nearly a decade to repeat as NBA champions.
Tatum’s season averages:
- 27.0 points per game
- 8.7 rebounds per game
- 6.0 assists per game
The team has been cautious with his workload, especially after a late-season ankle issue. His clearance for Friday’s game suggests no lingering concerns.

While Jayson Tatum is ready to go, the Celtics are also monitoring Jaylen Brown’s knee. Keeping both stars healthy for the postseason is a top priority.

The regular season stats paint a clear picture of the disparity between the Charlotte Hornets and the Boston Celtics. The Hornets struggled all season, finishing with a 19-61 record and sitting 14th in the standings. Their road performance was especially poor at 7-32, and they ranked near the bottom in key metrics: 29th in offensive rating, 24th in defensive rating, and 27th in net rating. On the flip side, the Celtics dominated throughout the season with a 59-21 record, good enough for 2nd place. They were solid at home (26-13) and ranked among the league’s elite, finishing 2nd in offensive rating, 5th in defensive rating, and 3rd in net rating. These numbers strongly favor Boston heading into any head-to-head matchup.
Also read: Will LaMelo Ball play tonight against the Boston Celtics? Latest update on the Charlotte Hornets star's injury report (April 11, 2025)

- Friday: vs Charlotte Hornets
- Final regular-season game: vs Hornets (potential rest game for starters)
Given the back-to-back against Charlotte, Boston may limit minutes or sit key players in the finale. For now, fans can expect Jayson Tatum back on the court as the Celtics prepare for another deep playoff run.