[Highlight] Jayson Tatum exits his first game back this season to a roaring ovation from the Boston faithful. Tatum finishes with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
Well deserved. What a beast.
He worked so hard to get back there. Like every source says he was just an absolute animal. Well deserved. He looks relieved
Well to come back in this amount of time he must be a fucking animal. Modern medicine blah blah blah he still powered through that rehab to be back like this
We can’t talk any shit because he didn’t look much different besides literally being rusty. Extremely impressive
Modern medicine is beautiful because it made possible for players to come back from Achilless tears. But Tatum is an absolute Freak of nature to have come back so quickly and look like his old self. Anyone who has had a lower body injury and surgery for it knows how tough rehab can be. Just beautiful really, I hope Haliburton comes back looking the same way as well.
He was definitely very diligent with his rehab. There are multiple other players with the same injury and got the same “Modern medicine” but didn’t return as quick
He’s just super mature and professional and has been since his first NBA game. I still remember thinking “how the hell is this guy 19 and already seems to know how to be an NBA player? Like defensively competent and acts like a man while still a teenager” during his first game.
Reminds me of our next star player Hugo
I also think it’s rare for someone to get the surgery as quick as he did. Him getting injured in NY was fortunate in that sense. Usually they wait until the swelling comes down and have to travel (via plane, which I think can cause more swelling). He got his surgery within hours I believe which I’m unsure had ever been done before.
Mazzulla said within 16 hours.
He was out of surgery before they officially announced the injury.
Yeah, NYC has the Hospital for Special Surgery, which is probably the best orthopedic hospital on the planet, and thats where he gof his surgery
In another thread someone was saying that he is believed to be the fastest ever injury to table for this injury. Even if not, it was incredibly quick, and doing it before the swelling peaks is apparently great for recovery.
When the injury first happened everyone was talking about that and saying it was a really good sign for his recovery, and it looks like those people were right. Obviously he still has a ways to go to shake off the rust and get back into game shape, but the way he’s moving 10 months removed from an Achilles tear is pretty insane. It’s looking pretty optimistic that he can get back to being basically the same player
I thought he played at a slower pace but higher urgency, he didn’t wait with the ball as much but his top speed was pretty low. Reminded me of what Chris Webber looked like when he was on the Kings after whatever long injury he had, just played more from the floor. Tatum did that really well
You can give credit to Tatum while not belittling modern medicine.
Lmao no one’s talking trash about modern medicine fam
“Modern medicine blah blah blah”
If you try to put the same sentiment in different words it’d read “modern medicine can only push you so far, the amount of work the individual has to do is still enormous”
I mean, it’s kind of on brand. Tatum has a blood temp IQ
He is incredible. Hardly missed a game before the injury, and then back at it again after a record recovery time. Dude just wants to play basketball more than anything.
Not my guy or my team, but goddamn do I love seeing this. Hope he continues to be smart and careful in order to stay healthy. This man is fantastic for the game.
To be back and be valuable to your team in your first game back is truly amazing. Yeah he’s corny but massive respect to him.
I was expecting so much less. What can I say my guys a lunatic.
Well said
Jayson Tatum is a basketball sicko
You could say he is an anomaly
Bro this video doesn’t do it justice. When they introduced him as a starter the entire building shook. When he was done and said his name right here it shook harder. It was insane.
I could fucking cry, man
Man I’m so anti Celtics but you gotta be a real loser to root against Tatums return. Basketball is better when everyone is healthy
I’ve been crying since the step back 3 bro
Feels like just yesterday he was getting wheeled to the locker room crying into a towel.
Exciting shit for you guys man! And he’ll have the next month to get in game shape just in time for the playoffs!
27 minutes I didn’t see that coming. He’s shaking off the rust in real time.
I’m still stunned.
He’s shaking off the rust in real time.
Did you just steal the commentator’s line?
Yes
I would say the Celtics are the favorites to make the finals in the East if Tatum is back in full form by then.
East it isn’t as boring as past years. I’m wondering Tatum will he able to ramp up to his old self in the playoffs right around the corner. Knicks cavs and hornets are interesting east teams too
Tatum looked pretty damn normal out there tonight. Bit rusty to start but he settled in. Was playing aggressive, making leg stressing leaps and cuts etc. He probably could have gone 35 if needed, just no reason.
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I mean he played 27 mins tonight so I’d hope he hits 30 in a couple weeks 😆
His cardio was definitely down a notch, but there is no way to train for playing except by playing. Give him ten games or so and he ought to be full speed.
Doesnt help that Vuc broke his finger tonight and will be out
It means we’re back to playing Garza for a month, which honestly isn’t a bad thing.
Vuc is more talented and we have more options when he plays, but Garza is arguably the hardest working role player in the league right now. Garza and Hugo coming off the bench to brute force us into winning situations should let us get through the regular season fine.
It’s just a question of whether this injury will fuck up our attempts to integrate Vuc.
The injury shouldn’t impact our regular season record, but might make the playoffs a bit more awkward.
Yeah thats more what i was thinking; not so much that yall wont survive without him, but that it might make on court chemistry come playoffs clunky. Queta is an easy guy to play with, Vuc i think will require a bit more time played with. But its nice that Garza is kind of a poor mans Vuc and plays hard as hell
Yeah, Garza can’t pass like Vuc but he fights like all hell for offensive rebounds. Vuc more reliable on defensive rebounds and has a respected 3 even tho Garza is also good for open 3s. Both pretty ass at defense.
garza fits this team’s aggressive play style better tbh
Garza is honestly better for us anyway.
Hornets seem like a dark horse right now. They’ve got tenacity and a hunger to win.
Hey, the East is never boring. Aside from maybe 2024 when there were injuries and the Celtics just steamrolled everyone, the EC playoffs recently is always a physical bloodbath compared to the West- regardless of the talent level.
The Heat and Pacers runs, the Celtics/Heat/Bucks battles, Orlando playing the ugliest basketball of all time, the Knicks beefing with everyone.
We might all suck, but damn it if we don’t try to kill each other every Spring!
Pistons are better than the Cavs and hornets too
We have a lot to work through before that stage imo.
Tatum looked good but will still need time to ride out the ups and downs.
Vucevic is still being integrated into the team, and his injury this game will slow that process down dramatically.
We’ve got young guys who still need to grow and develop their games to be playoff ready.
It’s hard to make a fair call while I’m riding the high from this win, but I think a team like Cleveland is still better positioned than us atm.
I agree. A lot of the youth’s contributions are going to get negated or diminish in the playoffs. Pritchard isn’t a playoff performer overall. Queta really going to be tested as a starting big, he’s going to have to rise to the challenge. I think a lot of what Scheierman, Hugo and Walsh have been bringing is going to get kind of squashed. Hauser has to shoot well.
But, now, with Tatum back and hopefully rounds out into general form, one of my big negatives for our playoff performance will die down a bit. With all those other factors, I thought Brown and White were going to get absolutely smothered by the opposing defenses but now with Tatum back, hopefully that takes a lot of pressure off of them, particularly White.
Yep
Pistons, Raptors
rpators? what
There’s no way that’s what they meant to say lol
Raptors are a fun surprise but not a real threat
Fantastic game from JT
He was getting the rust off quickly
Actually unreal. It’s fuck Boston always but goddamn it’s such a cool comeback story. Happy for him.
Fuck the jets, just cus
Fuck the Yankees, cuz rule 3
I don’t like the Celtics for obvious reasons but I just rose from my knees at a Tim Hortons
He back!
I love Tim hortons
Genuine question: why?
Your reasons are not obvious
they play in our division and we had that seven-game series in the bubble not that long ago. plus we’re the Celtics
I mean divisions really mean nothing to me. I only hate Nick Nurse
Because fuck the Celtics that’s why
Exactly. All that needs to be said.
Boston sports teams are made to be hated by anyone outside Boston.
Okay but the raptors are just like, kinda there
Fuck Boston
But so happy he’s back !
Fuck you!
And me too :D
If you say so…
Word. No matter who the team is you watch the NBA to see the best players in the world. Tatum is one of the best. It’s also astonishing he did this in under 10 months. You can’t knock the hustle.
I completely agree. I don’t like Boston and never will, but at the end of the day we all want to watch good basketball with compelling stories and players.
Tatum seems like a good dude and this shit is inspiring. I should get my ass off the couch and go to the gym.
Ngl he did pretty well
Happy for him for real
Picked him up in Fantasy off the waiver wire. I’m as happy as these Celtics fans rn
I just know everyone in your league upset on the steal
Drafted him in damn near the 11th round and kept him on my IR for the entire season for those 29 fantasy points last night 😭 so worth it
Lmao these are the high-risk/high IQ moves that get you the fantasy rings though lol good move. I know your league thought you were crazy😂
I did the same thing with Chet and Paolo banchero last season. Stole me a few wins when they finally came back near the end of season hahahaha
I am now stanning all players coming off Achilles tears.
Jayson Tatum FMVP this year. Tyrese Haliburton MVP next year. Dame Lillard FMVP for Portland next year (or Celtics repeat). Still crazy to me how Dame just casually came into All Star weekend and won the 3 point contest without playing a game this season
I subscribe to this reality
Looks like the last scene of the 2024 nba finals
Don’t stop I’m almost there
Thought the same thing, I had to double check lmao
Knicks fans in shambles.
See a post saying he was washed from a knicks fan after his 0-5 start.
Thought about him everytime JT made a bucket lol
Fuck that. I hated that he got hurt in our series and I’m stoked that he’s healthy. Literal goddamn anomaly coming back from an ACHILLES TEAR and almost getting a triple double. Cocaine bear ass
Respect
Yeah it sucked because you guys were SMOKING us and everyone’s just gonna remember JT got hurt. That series was wayyy over already. It was impressive for you and super embarrassing for us.
That was the series that made me defend Jalen Brunson being called a flopper, man needed no FTs to put us out last year
Oh yeah it was enlightening. He really has it.
Do yall have any idea how fucked you are?
lol idec anymore. I’d rather have y’all win instead of OKC again. I can’t stand anybody on OKC. at least JT seems like a nice guy
The worst you can say about JT is he’s corny. Wholesome AF star. We couldn’t ask for better here in Boston.
To be fair you could say the same thing about SGA.
I think there are some worse things you can say about SGA.
We talking singing voice?
SGA is not an ethical player, he is gifted free throws.
Tatum is not that type of player
The whole comment about wanting to get paid more to try in the all star game really soured me on SGA.
The worst you can say about JT is he’s corny
Still can’t believe he texted Kobe and posted it for everyone to see.
But nothing this man can do that will make me hate him. So glad he’s fuckin’ back!
Maybe we like to get fucked :)
On a serious note, I’m glad he’s back as a Pistons fan
Hopefully he stays healthy and gets back into somewhat of a rhythm by playoff time
I want my team to beat the last eastern champions fully loaded
How you gonna do that with one scorer
Bruh I am saying we need to be tested
Don’t come in here with logic
love it. esp with queta ascending and baylor/hugo locked in.
Anybody but OKC.
Put up a demonic second half performance I can’t hate
Well that should answer any questions about him being ready or able to play like the old Tatum. Dude looked like normal JT after the first quarter rust.
league is fucked.
2 first team all NBA wings, 1 PG considered one of the most valuable/underrated players in the league (player of the month last month) a sixth man of the year in PP and a deep rotation of hungry role players who can shoot / score the rock.
spicy.
And a magnificently psychotic head coach and gm who doesn’t make mistakes.
Please be careful out there JT
Good shit
If you’re still hating on this guy, you don’t love basketball. This is true perseverance.
Eff Boston but im glad hes back! salute
I want you to put the word out there that we back up.
He must feel pretty damn good. Did not think he’d play 27 minutes tonight
I love Tatum
The smile he has after had me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and shit for real🥹
The sound of the arena instead of talking over the moment was a great call
👏 but fuck Boston
Was nervous as hell for him seeing the headline that he was gonna start today.. Happy af he had a solid game though.
He played 27min if anyone was wondering. Quite a bit more than I expected. This is great for him.
Amazing how this surgery has progressed. This injury used to end a career.
Nothing will make me like Tatum, but you gotta respect him. Kinda like Kobe
I mean the funny thing is, even though he idolizes Kobe, it’s hard to think of a personality any less Kobe. And that’s mostly a good thing in my book.
100%. No matter how corny or rehearsed his sound bites are, he always comes across as an authentically nice dude and good teammate. That’s not mamba.
first few minutes got me worried but hitting that step back 3 brings a relief. He is back and he still got it
Tatum deserves this
That’s the happiest I’ve seen him in 298 days
What a feat.
He played 27 minutes after this crazy ass injury! Yo what! Am I the only one thinking that’s a huge risk?
He’s been playing 5 on 5 for like a month already. If it was a crazy risk they wouldn’t have done it, I’m guessing the only real restriction on minutes right now is his conditioning.
Honestly man I wouldnt risk it. Sure hes younger that dame and KD but if you tweak it then youre our for months again. I think getting him in form under limited minutes would help with playoffs.
I simply don’t think there’s actually any medical risk. The Celtics aren’t an organization that would be sloppy about something like that for an ultimately meaningless game in March. If he played 27 minutes that means every medical opinion told them it was totally fine to play 27 minutes.
I feel like Joe Mazzula is the medical opinion…
This is the sort of thing that really adds structure to a legacy. Welcome back JT.
better than expected ngl
Damn. Dude balled out. What a beast.
What a time to be alive 🥹
I honestly came here to see all the hate, and it genuinely gives me faith at all of the nice comments here, even for Celtics haters.
Respect for the guy is high and well earned.
Nickname living up to it’s implication
Welcome back, king
Let’s go JT!!
Kept crying whenever he scored. Welcome back, my king. 💚
Leg transplant.
Even if all he is is a quality backup forward this year, it will help a lot their size.
Almost got the triple double, I’ll happily celebrate the double double
I am not a Boston fan but just like watching good basketball. So if he is back and healthy I applaud it and hope he has a long healthy career. I was extremely impressed with his game and was not expecting this kind of performance.
Nah I still can’t believe he really back. Plus he gave a solid performance. Wow.
Imagine they win it all this year.
WTF
Absolute freak of nature
I can’t stand the guy, but good to see him on the court.
Look at Tatum man… so inspirational
finally… the garden just didnt feel right without jt
I’m starting to think this Tatum guy might be pretty good at basketball.
lol to the guy here last night who said it was a disappointing return
Okay, maybe we treated you too harshly you cornball. This was some G shit tonight. I definitely have a new found respect for this kid!
Legit
I’m an avid Boston hater (I live in Toronto).
This is so cool to see
Tatum gets a lot of shit for seeming corny or seeming like he’s try too hard to create a moment.
This feels like a moment that people will remember. What a beast and visual.
I’m glad I can go back to hating on this guy!!
He’s clearly not the same player he was pre injury, his lateral movement and vertical is just not the same. He’ll be in game dunking again but it’s not the same.
What game were you watching?
I was at the game
It’s his literal first NBA game after tearing his Achilles, could we give him some time before saying these kind of things? 😭
No. I actually saw him rubbing the back of his calf. I think he came back too soon.
Genuine question, and I’d like an actual answer. Do you know more than 1) The Celtics 2) any doctor who’s seen him over the last 10 months?