Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum completed a remarkable return on Friday night. The 2024 NBA champion suited up for the Celtics just nine months removed from suffering a torn Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May.
Tatum, 28, got into the flow of the game by contributing assists and rebounds, but he missed his first six shots. Just before halftime, his tip-in dunk, followed immediately by a made three-pointer, formally confirmed that Tatum is back. The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-100, and Tatum finished with 15 points (6-of-16), 12 rebounds, seven assists, and a steal in 15 minutes.
After the game, the likes of Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James celebrated Tatum’s return. But Tatum’s fellow competitors likely will continue to show him respect and welcome him back for a while.
Before the Celtics tipped off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon, Cavaliers All-Star guard James Harden dapped up Tatum and said, “Proud of you, bro. Congratulations.”
The Celtics proceeded to remind everyone why they’re a threat to win the Eastern Conference. In the third quarter, Boston opened up a 23-point lead over Cleveland and ultimately won the game 109-98. Tatum, in just his second game back, put up 20 points on 6-of-16 shooting (2-of-9 from three), three rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes.
“I can’t stress it enough, man, I’m just happy to be out here playing on the team with the guys [and] competing,” Tatum told ESPN’s Jorge Sedano after the game. “Making plays, making mistakes, just happy to be out here.”
Tatum added, “What I’ve realized is the NBA is like a brotherhood, and guys, even on the opposite team, [are] happy to see me back here.”
Before Tatum returned to the starting lineup, the Celtics were 41-21 and the second seed in the East. 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown held the Celtics down with MVP-caliber play, and Boston’s depth allowed the team to produce the league’s second-best net rating, second-best offensive rating, and sixth-best defensive rating.
With Tatum rejoining Brown as the Celtics’ perennial one-two punch, the Celtics have a legitimate chance to capture their second championship in three years. As of Sunday afternoon, Boston is the odds-on favorite to win the Eastern Conference and tied with Denver for the second-best odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals, according to DraftKings.
The next two games will be a litmus test. The Celtics will wrap up a three-game road trip at San Antonio (46-17) on Tuesday and at Oklahoma City (50-15) on Thursday - the No. 2 and 1 seed, respectively, in the Western Conference.
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