Celtics star Jayson Tatum reflects on ’emotional’ NBA comeback

NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!

It has been 10 months since Jayson Tatum last suited up for the Boston Celtics in an NBA game. That streak ended Friday night when the forward made his 2025-26 debut against the Dallas Mavericks.

Before the game, Tatum acknowledged that he was bracing himself for an outpouring of emotion as he prepared to return.

“Stepping onto the field for the first time, I might be emotional, but I’ll be excited,” he said. “I will be anxious. And I will just be proud of myself that I got to that point. There have been some long days over the last 42 weeks.”

Tatum posted a double-double in his sooner-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 on Friday night.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist

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 field.

“It was surreal. It was an emotional day. It’s been a long journey. God is the greatest to get me to this point. Many days I dreamed of 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.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington (25) during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 6, 2026 in Boston. (Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)

“Physically, you’re ready, you can do all the things,” he said. “But it’s been a long time since I’ve competed or played in a game. The mental hurdle is a real thing.”

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum claps off the bench in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on March 4, 2026. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)

Tatum was visibly emotional in the locker room moments after suffering the injury on May 12.

But he worked through long stretches of physical therapy, exercise and the ongoing pain of his injury.

“I’ve worked tirelessly to get back to myself, to get back to 100%, to go out there and compete.”