{"id":646223,"date":"2026-03-08T01:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T01:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/646223\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T01:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T01:30:09","slug":"celtics-jayson-tatum-details-achilles-comeback-reflects-on-mental-hurdles-leading-up-to-nba-season-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/646223\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics’ Jayson Tatum details Achilles comeback, reflects on mental hurdles leading up to NBA season debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been 10 months since Jayson Tatum last suited up for the Boston Celtics<\/a> in an NBA game. That stretch ended Friday night, when the star forward made his 2025-26 debut against the Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n

Before the game, Tatum acknowledged he was bracing for a flood of emotions as he prepared to return.<\/p>\n

“Stepping onto the court for the first time, I might be emotional, but I’ll be excited,” he said. “I’ll be anxious. And I’ll just be proud of myself that I made it to that point. There’s been some long days over the last 42 weeks.”<\/p>\n

Tatum delivered a double-double in his quicker-than-expected return from the Achilles injury<\/a> 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 Friday night.<\/p>\n

Click Here For More Sports Coverage On Foxnews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

After the win, Tatum opened up about the hurdles he cleared to get back on the court.<\/p>\n

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2025-26 Nba Title Odds: Celtics Rise With Jayson Tatum Returning<\/a><\/p>\n

“It was surreal. It was an emotional day. It\u2019s been a long journey. God is the greatest, getting me to this point. Many days I dreamed about 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.<\/p>\n

While he learned he was medically cleared in February, Tatum said his mental readiness took longer.<\/p>\n

“Physically, you’re clear, you can do all the things,” he said. “But it’s a long time that I haven’t competed or played in a game. That mental hurdle is a real thing.”<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum applauds from the bench in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden March 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tatum was visibly emotional<\/a> in the locker room moments after suffering the injury May 12.<\/p>\n

But he worked through long stretches of physical therapy, workouts and the lingering pain of his injury.<\/p>\n

“I’ve worked relentlessly to get back to myself, to get back to 100%, to go out there and compete.”<\/p>\n

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Original article source: Celtics’ Jayson Tatum details Achilles comeback, reflects on mental hurdles leading up to NBA season debut<\/a><\/p>\n