Celtics’ Tatum struggles initially, regains form with 15-point comeback

BOSTON — Celtics star Jayson Tatum characterized his return to the court on Friday night as merely a step in the healing process from his torn Achilles, while also expressing his appreciation for playing in his first NBA game in 298 days.

“I still have a long way to go,” stated Tatum, who recorded 15 points in 27 minutes during a 120-100 home win against the Dallas Mavericks. “But this was a really positive step.”

Tatum made his season debut in Boston’s starting lineup over 10 months after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, returning on the quicker end of the usual rehabilitation timeline of nine to 12 months following the injury.

However, his initial game had a shaky beginning.

Tatum attempted his first shot on Boston’s second possession, missing a 16-foot pull-up jumper. In the second quarter, he maneuvered past a defender and had an open lane but failed to complete a dunk, hitting the front of the rim.

He began the game 0-for-6 from the field and admitted to feeling nervous early on.

“It’s been a long time coming just to reach this point,” he remarked. “Nights and days I envisioned this moment and the anticipation, the crowd. It’s been 42 and a half weeks since I last played in an NBA game, so I was just trying to adjust to the pace and everything. I felt like I was either a step behind or moving too quickly. But as I relaxed a bit, the game started to slow down.”

Tatum scored on a put-back dunk with 1:16 left in the second quarter, which he noted helped him settle down. Following that, he found his rhythm, hitting six of his next 10 shots as the crowd erupted with each score.

Along with his 15 points, Tatum also recorded 12 rebounds and seven assists on a night he described as a blend of normalcy and surrealism.

“I was genuinely grateful,” Tatum expressed. “I felt a deep sense of appreciation just to be back on the court, playing basketball. It brought me back to everything I’ve experienced over the past 10 months. The fact that I was able to be out there today was a significant victory for me.”

Tatum’s presence was impactful on the court as well. The Celtics outscored the Mavericks by 20 points during his time on the floor Friday. As he grew more comfortable in the second half, Boston pulled away, outscoring Dallas 62-47 after halftime.

“I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown commented. “Having JT back was obviously great. I commend him for putting himself on the line to return and be part of something larger. I think that reflects his mentality. I appreciate that, and I know the organization does too, because he didn’t have to come back, and no one pressured him, but he wanted to be out there.”

Tatum mentioned that there is a strategy in place for managing his playing time, but he did not elaborate on his status or whether he would be available for Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers.

Friday night marked Tatum’s first game since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last May, when he tore his right Achilles during a matchup against the New York Knicks.

“I don’t think any athlete believes they will ever get injured; at least I didn’t,” Tatum reflected. “It never crossed my mind. I felt like I did everything right, took care of my body, and I didn’t cheat the game. So when it happened, it was a … it literally knocked me down, and it made me reconsider a lot of things.

“I had a vision of how my career would unfold, and one night it changed,”

After his injury, the Celtics made adjustments to their roster from the 2024 NBA championship, trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis while allowing Al Horford to depart for Golden State in free agency. Tatum acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the Celtics following his injury and expressed doubts about their ability to maintain their previous competitive level.

Nevertheless, the Celtics have emerged as one of the surprise teams this season. They currently hold a 42-21 record, placing them second in the Eastern Conference and among the favorites in the conference.

“At the start of last playoffs, we felt like we had a three, four, five-year run with that team,” Tatum noted. “It all changed in an instant with that team. … I was uncertain about what would come next.”

He added: “I can’t commend the group and the coaching staff enough for how they approached the season, how they competed, and how they played together every single night. I don’t know if there’s been a team more enjoyable to watch this season.”

Despite uncertainties regarding Tatum’s participation this season, coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence in Tatum’s intentions, particularly noting how urgently Tatum opted for surgery, just one day after the injury.

“The seriousness with which you pursue surgery,” Mazzulla stated before Friday’s game. “The seriousness with which you begin the rehabilitation process, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.

“Because of the decision he made immediately and the way he approached it, along with the support from those around him, I knew he would do everything possible to reach a point where he could return.”