Celtics' Jayson Tatum details Achilles comeback, reflects on mental hurdles leading up to NBA season debut
Tatum tore an Achilles in last year's NBA playoffs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It’s been 10 months since Jayson Tatum last suited up for the Boston Celtics in an NBA game. That stretch ended Friday night, when the star forward made his 2025-26 debut against the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the game, Tatum acknowledged he was bracing for a flood of emotions as he prepared to return.
"Stepping onto the court for the first time, I might be emotional, but I'll be excited," he said. "I'll be anxious. And I'll just be proud of myself that I made it to that point. There's been some long days over the last 42 weeks."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tatum delivered a double-double in his quicker-than-expected return from the Achilles injury he suffered during a playoff game against the New York Knicks. He scored 15 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in 27 minutes as the Celtics beat the Mavericks 120-100 Friday night.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum walks off the court after Game 1 of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)
After the win, Tatum opened up about the hurdles he cleared to get back on the court.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}2025-26 NBA TITLE ODDS: CELTICS RISE WITH JAYSON TATUM RETURNING
"It was surreal. It was an emotional day. It’s been a long journey. God is the greatest, getting me to this point. Many days I dreamed about this and for it to finally happen and share with my family, my teammates, the crowd. It was everything I could have dreamed of," Tatum said.
While he learned he was medically cleared in February, Tatum said his mental readiness took longer.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the second quarter at TD Garden March 6, 2026, in Boston. (Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)
"Physically, you're clear, you can do all the things," he said. "But it's a long time that I haven't competed or played in a game. That mental hurdle is a real thing."
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum applauds from the bench in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden March 4, 2026. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)
Tatum was visibly emotional in the locker room moments after suffering the injury May 12.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But he worked through long stretches of physical therapy, workouts and the lingering pain of his injury.
"I've worked relentlessly to get back to myself, to get back to 100%, to go out there and compete."
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