Jayson Tatum has returned to the NBA court for the Boston Celtics after a 10-month absence due to an Achilles injury. Tatum made his 2025-26 season debut against the Dallas Mavericks, acknowledging the emotional weight of his comeback.
He scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in 27 minutes as the Celtics secured a 120-100 victory. Tatum described the journey back as surreal and emotional, crediting faith and relentless work.
While medically cleared in February, Tatum noted that overcoming the mental hurdle of returning to competitive play took significant time. He emphasized the importance of pushing through physical therapy and lingering pain to reach full form.
Tatum's return marks a significant milestone after suffering the injury during a playoff game.