Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are regrouping after a tough ending to the 2025-26 NBA season. Tatum missed Boston's 109-100 Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee stiffness. Center Joel Embiid scored a game-high 34 points and tied Celtics center Neemias Queta for a game-high 12 rebounds.
Guard Tyrese Maxey poured in 30 points and tied Boston guard Payton Pritchard with a game-high seven assists. The matchup also highlighted two players recently traded for one another: Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and Philadelphia forward Paul George. Brown, who was traded on July 1 to Philly, had a team-high 33 points, along with nine rebounds.
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
George, who is expected to replace Brown's production in Beantown, put up 13 points, three rebounds and an assist in 42 minutes. The 2026-27 NBA season will be an adjustment for Tatum, who had spent every prior season with Brown by his side. Recently, Tatum announced another offseason change.
On Wednesday, the four-time All-NBA first-team forward announced he has authored a new children's book series, "Baby Dunks-a-Lot." Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers and co-authored by Sam Apple and Tatum, "The Day the Basketballs Stopped Bouncing" is a humorous picture book about a baby who dominates at basketball at an early age.
The Chaminade College Preparatory School graduate followed it up on Thursday by announcing on social media his "Good Morning America" appearance to further promote the book's release. In an Instagram post, Tatum shared a flurry of photographs from his appearance on the acclaimed ABC morning show.
The 28-year-old posted pictures of himself posing with his book, another of him with hosts Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, George Stephanopoulos and former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, as well as additional action shots on set. In the Instagram caption, the six-time All-Star further promoted the book, thanked the people who helped him on the journey and urged people to grab a copy.
"Baby Dunks-a-Lot: 'The Day the Basketballs Stopped Bouncing,'" Tatum wrote. "Is out now! Had an incredible time being a part of this journey. Thanks to everyone who was a part of making this come together! Go grab a copy now!!!"
Tatum's debut picture book was published by BiblioKid Publishing in 2022.
