For the first time since returning from injury, Jayson Tatum recorded a triple-double. The Boston Celtics’ star kept his hot streak going and scored more than 25 points in his third straight game. But is he operating at 100% after being back in less than a year? So, the assessment from long-time rival and close friend Bam Adebayo carries weight.

“I can tell he’s still out of shape,” Bam paused for a second, broke a smile when speaking to the media post-game. Then he followed up with some serious compliments for JT’s journey. “But when you consider somebody like that your brother. We’ve known each other since I was like 12, so you see what he’s gone through, and obviously, checking up on him through the rehabilitation phase and the down days that he’s had.

“You’re proud of pushing through it and putting yourself out there this season, still finding ways, still trying to impact winning. You tip your hat off to somebody who’s been through that and still trying to play.”

While Jayson Tatum arguably had his best performance since his return, it was no where his best performance that he had delivered on the court before. Even though what Bam Adebayo stated might be a tongue-in-cheek statement, it was the truth. JT had a 25-point, 18-rebound, and 11-assist triple-double against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, but efficiency wasn’t at his vintage best.

In his career, the 28-year-old has averaged 45% from FG and 37% from beyond the arc. In this game, he converted only 9-21 from the field and just 4-13 from downtown. That’s why there is more in the tank of the 6x All-Star.

Jayson Tatum had already offered an honest take on his fitness

Ever since his decision to return was final, there were a lot of questions about whether he would fit in with the team. But the Celtics have quieted those concerns by going 10-2 in Tatum’s first 12 games. JT has simply found ways to add more power to the team and its win streak. But it’s not been straightforward.

On March 21, Jayson Tatum shot just 3-of-15 against the Grizzlies. Then on Monday, March 23, he shot just 6-16 from the floor against the Timberwolves. After the second game, the Celtics star admitted, “I’m not Superman, so it’s obviously going to take some time.” Last week, the 6x All-Star dropped 26 points and 12 rebounds in the Celtics’ comeback win over the Hawks. But his shooting slump didn’t stop. This was the third time in four games he’s shot under 40%.

“It’s all over the place. Sometimes I be dribbling the f—–g ball and I just, like, mishandle — Sometimes I still have the ball, but it’s just like, damn. It’s frustrating. Obviously, you know some of the shots, layups at the rim, just kinda moving too fast a little bit. So, I mean, it’s frustrating to me,” Jayson Tatum admitted after the loss to the Hawks.

JT clearly knows he is not shooting at his best. Yet he is producing plays and contributing in different ways as the Celtics eye another postseason run. He won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award after averaging 25.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game last week. In fact, the Celtics have now won seven of Tatum’s 12 games played by double digits. So, clearly his addition is working out, and it will only get better.