Celtics' Jayson Tatum Explains the Meaning Behind His New Shoes’ Achilles Injury Memento image
Mar 29, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Boston Celtics forward/guard Jayson Tatum (0) stands on the court following the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images
During the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum went down with a season-ending achilles injury, which also kept him out for a majority of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Celtics were forced to navigate a season without their star player, but they have high hopes entering the upcoming season, as Tatum is fully healthy and ready to play from October until what he hopes is late into the Spring.
Although moving on after a traumatic injury seems like the correct approach, Tatum talked about why he can't exactly forget what happened to him last year.
Jayson Tatum Explains the Meaning Behind His New Shoes’ Achilles Injury Memento
Tatum released a new pair of his personal shoes this week, and they feature something that symbolizes the achilles injury he suffered last Spring.
That feature is five lines on the heel of each shoe, which symbolize the scar left over from his achilles repair surgery.
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Tatum had to navigate one of the longest recovery timelines an athlete can face from an injury in sports, but he hopes to use that to remind him how far he's come, as he plays his first full season since 2024-25.
“Anytime you go through something traumatic, you’re not the same you…That’s not saying you’re worse, you’re just different,” Tatum said (via Daniel Donabedian).
He had one of his best individual seasons the last time he was healthy for the entire year, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 2024-25.
With Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia now, Tatum will be the uncontested first option in Boston, which may come with added pressure, but he'll look to embrace the situation and lead the Celtics back to the promised land.
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