March 9, 2026, 3:14 p.m. ET
The joy that has returned to star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum since he returned from the Achilles tendon injury he suffered vs. the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals has been palpable in the two games he has since suited up for with Boston.
And understandably so given how hard the St. Louis native has been working to get back on the court (to say nothing of the trauma of going through such a devastating injury under the microscope of being a star athlete). After Boston’s blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers this weekend, Tatum related that “I can’t stress it enough – I’m just happy to be out here playing on the team with the guys.”
“Competing, making plays, making mistakes – just happy to be out here,” emphasized the Celtics star, who was warmly welcomed not only by the Celtics fans in the crows in Cleveland for the road win, but even players on the Cavs.
One in particular, Donovan Mitchell, took some time to talk with Tatum after the win. The Boston forward said that Mitchell was a “great friend of mine, (I’ve) known him since high school.”
“What I’ve realized is, the NBA is like a brotherhood, and guys are, even on the opposite team, happy to see me back out here So it was just mutual love, mutual respect – it’s been a while since I competed against him.”
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