The Boston Celtics faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans with a subpar 5-5 record over their past 10 games. Despite lingering issues, they remain second in the Eastern Conference, though they have not been performing at the level expected from defending champions.

Star forward Jayson Tatum is a significant contributor to the team, boasting impressive statistics this season. As of Sunday, he averaged 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 35 games. In a historic moment during the game, Tatum achieved a personal milestone by grabbing his 4,000th career rebound in the second quarter, making him only the 22nd forward in NBA history to reach this mark before turning 27.

This accomplishment places him alongside former Celtics star Antoine Walker as only the second player from Boston to achieve 4,000 rebounds at such a young age. As Tatum continues to elevate his game, the Celtics are determined to navigate their current struggles and aspire to defend their championship title successfully.