Jayson Tatum, Celtics
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Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
One of the NBA’s fiercest rivalries briefly took a backseat Friday night.
As Jayson Tatum made his emotional return for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was among the first prominent voices across the league to publicly welcome him back.
Tatum returned from a torn Achilles tendon during Boston’s 120–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks, marking a significant moment for one of the NBA’s brightest stars.
Despite representing the rival Los Angeles Lakers, James quickly posted a message celebrating Tatum’s comeback.
“WELCOME BACK BIG DEUCE!!! @jaytatum0 🙏🏾💪🏾🫡🔥,” James wrote on X.
The message reflected the respect many players across the league hold for Tatum, whose recovery from a devastating Achilles injury captivated the NBA community.
Jayson Tatum Delivers Double-Double in First Game Back
Tatum’s return came less than 300 days after he tore his Achilles during Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks last May.
In his first game back, the Celtics star produced 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes.
Boston carefully managed his workload, playing him in short five- and six-minute bursts as he worked through early-game rust.
Tatum missed his first six shots, including three attempts from beyond the arc, but made his presence felt in the other areas of the game, such as rebounding, passing and screening.
Basketball analysts praised Tatum’s playmaking.
“Thought Tatum really helped the offense with his passing in the first half too,” Hoops Tonight’s host Jason Timpf wrote on X. “Makes me very happy to see him back out there playing basketball.”
As the game progressed, observers noted flashes of the All-NBA form that has defined Tatum’s career.
Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor summed up the performance succinctly.
“Jayson Tatum looks like Jayson Tatum,” he wrote on X.
Celtics Star Completes Remarkably Fast Achilles Recovery
Tatum’s return also stands out historically.
The Celtics forward came back less than 300 days after the injury, making it the third-fastest Achilles return in recent NBA history.
Only Kobe Bryant (240 days) and Chauncey Billups (296 days) returned faster from the same injury.
Achilles tears are widely considered among the most difficult injuries for professional basketball players to overcome.
Tatum acknowledged the emotional significance of reaching this milestone.
“It was surreal. It was an emotional day,” Tatum said after the game.
“It’s been a long journey. God is the greatest. To get me to this point, there was many days I dreamed about this. And for it to finally happen—share it with my family and teammates, the crowd—it was everything I could’ve dreamed of.”
Jaylen Brown Highlights Mental Toll of Injury Recovery
Tatum’s return also resonated deeply with his teammates.
Celtics co-star Jaylen Brown said the comeback carried significance beyond basketball.
“It’s good to see, not only my brother back out there, but more importantly, besides basketball, the mental aspect for those who have had injuries — it definitely has an impact on your mental health,” Brown said on his live stream.
“So to see my boy smiling and seeing him out there having fun doing what he loves to do.”
Brown said witnessing the injury firsthand made the return especially meaningful.
“I got to see, up close and personal, when he went down with the injury,” Brown said. “Watching that look in his eyes of uncertainty — for him to be back out there and smiling, that was a victory in itself.”
Respect Between Rivals Shows NBA Brotherhood
While the Lakers–Celtics rivalry remains one of the fiercest in professional sports, moments like James’ message illustrate the respect shared among NBA stars.
Players across the league understand the challenge of returning from a severe injury — particularly one as serious as a torn Achilles.
James’ public welcome highlighted that bond.
For one night, the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics paused as the basketball world celebrated the return of one of its brightest stars.