Jayson Tatum was forced to miss the Boston Celtics' previous game against the Brooklyn Nets due to right knee tendinopathy.
On Friday night, as the Celtics began their six-game road trip, Tatum made his return to face Walker Kessler and the injury-plagued Utah Jazz. Boston was a little shorthanded as well after Tatum's partner in crime, Jaylen Brown, was ruled out for the next two games.
It didn't take long for Tatum to get going in his return, scoring a couple of 3-pointers in the first few minutes. But there was one play from Tatum in the first that captured a lot of attention online, and it required some luck from the former Duke star.
With just under 5:30 to play in the first, Tatum stole the ball off a poor pass and started running down the court before meeting two defenders. As he made his move to the basket, Tatum lost the ball before kicking it with his heel and popping it right back to him for an easy layup.
JAYSON TATUM OR MESSI?! pic.twitter.com/nl3IjW7jok
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) March 22, 2025
Normally, if an NBA player were to kick the ball as Tatum did, it would be a kicked-ball violation. However, it appears the officials chose to let this one go, giving the Celtics two points. This play from Tatum could have also been ruled a travel if the officials considered it a pass to himself, which they didn't.
Still, some NBA fans were impressed with Tatum's soccer move, while others were left confused, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.
"I still have no clue what happened after watching it 7-8 times," one fan said.
"JT was Houdini on that drive to the hoop!!!" added another.
"This some street ball type of nonsense. crazy," wrote a third.
"Is that even allowed," questioned a fourth.
"Welcome home JT," posted a fifth with a photoshopped image of Tatum in a Manchester United jersey.
"Dudes playing soccer while everyone else is playing basketball," commented a sixth.
Up next for Tatum and the Celtics is a battle with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Related: Celtics Dealt Unfortunate Jaylen Brown News
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM.