The Boston star admits he wasn’t sure he’d play again this season after tearing his Achilles
Jayson Tatum was not certain he would set foot on an NBA court again this season. When he tore his Achilles tendon last May, the uncertainty that followed was genuine — not just for observers watching from the outside, but for the Celtics star himself. That context makes what he has done since returning in March all the more remarkable, and it frames how he is approaching the beginning of Boston’s 2026 playoff run with a mindset that is simultaneously grateful and hungry for more.
A return that exceeded expectations
Tatum acknowledged ahead of a recent Celtics practice that his own recovery surprised him at times. His numbers since returning reflect a player who wasted little time recapturing elite form despite a minutes restriction applied to most of his 16 regular-season appearances. He averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game across that stretch, with his production improving as the season progressed. Boston went 13-3 with him in the lineup and outscored opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court — figures that reinforced just how central he is to everything the Celtics do on both ends of the floor.
Despite those results, Tatum has been candid about the fact that he has not always felt fully like himself. The physical sensation of operating at playoff intensity after a significant injury carries its own psychological weight, and he has acknowledged that the gap between performing at a high level and feeling entirely normal can still be frustrating. His perspective on that frustration, though, has shifted considerably since the injury. What once might have been a source of irritation has become something he views in a broader context — as part of a recovery journey he is simply grateful to be on.
He described everything he has accomplished since returning as icing on the cake, a phrase that captures both his appreciation for being healthy enough to compete and his competitive drive to keep pushing beyond what the comeback alone already represents.
What Boston faces against Philadelphia
The 76ers provide the first test of where Tatum and the Celtics actually stand in the postseason. Philadelphia enters the series without Joel Embiid, who has been ruled out of Game 1 following an emergency appendectomy, but Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla made clear that the absence of the former MVP does not simplify the matchup in any meaningful way.
Tyrese Maxey is the primary concern for Boston’s defensive game plan. Mazzulla described the All-Star guard as someone capable of scoring at all three levels and generating points in ways that can catch opponents off guard — through transition opportunities, trips to the free-throw line and pull-up scoring across the full range of the court. His speed and skill in getting to his spots make defensive discipline a non-negotiable priority for the Celtics throughout the series.
Beyond Maxey, Philadelphia has developed a genuine identity in Embiid’s absence that Boston is taking seriously. The 76ers play at a faster pace without their star center and attack the offensive glass aggressively, posting an offensive rebound rate that would have ranked among the league’s best when Embiid sat during the regular season. Paul George has been performing at his best, Andre Drummond has taken on a larger role and Kelly Oubre Jr. has carved out real value off the bench. Mazzulla characterized the 76ers as a well-balanced team playing some of their best basketball heading into the postseason.
More than just a comeback story
Tatum carried a basketball throughout his pre-practice media session — a small but telling detail about where his focus sits. The gratitude is real, but it coexists with an expectation of excellence that no amount of perspective has diminished. His teammates and coaching staff will be counting on both as the Celtics begin what they hope is a deep and meaningful postseason run.
Source: The Athletic