CLEVELAND — Celtics energy ahead Jayson Tatum was grateful he made his comeback from a ruptured proper Achilles tendon at residence in Boston.
The six-time All-Star was virtually as happy that his second recreation was on the street Sunday afternoon. Tatum scored six of his 20 factors within the fourth quarter, delivering the dagger on a 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining because the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98 in a battle of Eastern Conference contenders.
“Today felt a lot more normal, just from a preparation standpoint in this league,” Tatum stated. “It felt like being back in the flow again.
“It’s simply superb how completely satisfied I’m to be again and eager to be on the market extra.”
Two nights earlier, Tatum collected 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in his emotional return at TD Garden in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. He received multiple standing ovations in his first action since rupturing the tendon during the 2025 playoffs on May 12.
The fans at Rocket Arena weren’t nearly as kind to him, but those wearing Celtics gear applauded him every time he touched the ball. They included his mother, Brandy Cole-Barnes, who surprised him by making the trip.
Tatum and his mother had been inseparable throughout his 298-day rehabilitation interval, which started following reconstructive surgical procedure on May 13.
“She texted me this morning to say, ‘Hey, I’m coming to Cleveland,'” Tatum said, smiling. “I regarded up within the crowd and she or he was simply crying. Seeing me on the court docket clearly brings her a variety of pleasure.”
The 6-foot-8 Tatum has started both games in his return, logging 27 minutes and making 6-of-16 field goals in each one.
His playing time is being restricted for precautionary reasons, but Boston coach Joe Mazzulla made sure Tatum was on the floor at crunch time Sunday.
Tatum missed all six of his shots over the second and third quarters before coming through in his final seven-minute stretch. He shared the court with longtime Celtics teammates — and fellow 2024 NBA champions — Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
“We’re glad to have a first-team All-NBA participant again who can do all of it,” Pritchard said. “It makes us a extremely good workforce, and he appears to be like unbelievable. He’s doing issues that not many gamers have completed. It’s a straightforward transition for all of us.”
