LEADING OFF TATUM STILL FIGHTING COVID ISSUES

Boston Celtics all-star Jayson Tatum continues to use an inhaler while recuperating from COVID-19. Tatum, 23, knocked down the game-sealing 3-pointer to beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, capping a 32-point night. But he said post-game he's still very much in recovery mode. “It's a process. It takes a long time,” he said. “I take an inhaler before the game since I've tested positive. This has kind of helped with that and opened up my lungs, and, you know, I never took an inhaler before. So that's something different. I for sure feel better now than I did a month ago.” Tatum is on a personal tear, averaging 29.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in April. The fourth-year forward doesn't know if he'll need to keep his inhaler handy the rest of the way. “There's no exact timetable,” Tatum said. “Just when I feel comfortable enough and I think I don't need it.”