Jayson Tatum said Boston’s 147-129 win over the Miami Heat was another sign of how far he has come since returning from injury, both physically and mentally. After posting 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple-double of the season, Tatum said staying around the team during his rehab helped him keep perspective.
“I think it just gave me opportunity to feel a part of the team still,” Tatum said. “Being injured and going through rehab, I would have to be in the weight room because I couldn’t participate physically, so as much as I could be around the team, go to all the games, be on the road trips, I think just for the camaraderie, that helped myself and the team.”
Boston opened the night with a record-setting first quarter, scoring 53 points on the way to a 20-point lead after one period. Tatum said the early rhythm came from discipline and shot quality, not force.
“Incredible shot making on both ends,” he said. “It just goes to show on a given night, guys are competing, but guys really working on their craft, and just high level shot making on both ends.”
The Heat trimmed the margin later, but Tatum said Boston handled the pressure by leaning on execution and composure. He said Miami is still a difficult defense to read because of its structure and aggression.
“It’s just what it’s always been,” Tatum said. “A great defensive team. They help, they have high shifts, and you just find a matchup that you want, attack, hesitate to nail if they stay with you.”
Tatum also said he has started to enjoy the game more again after admitting he was frustrated in the first few outings back. A conversation with Klay Thompson helped him reset his mindset.
“He told me, man, ‘you look crazy,’” Tatum said with a laugh. “One thing he wished he did more when he first came back was give himself more grace.” Tatum said that advice mattered because “I was not 100% sure I was even going to be able to play this year.”
That shift has changed how he views the comeback. “I feel a little bit better every game,” he said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take to be back to who I was or hopefully better, but the goal is just to continue to stack things.”
Tatum said the Celtics’ offense has remained simple even as his role has changed. “We try to just keep it simple, right?” he said. “It’s two on the ball, pass it, you’re open, shoot it or drive it. Somebody else is open, pass it to him.”
Boston improved to 51-25 and stayed second in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics visit Milwaukee on Friday, while Tatum said he is still focused on one thing: “continue to stack things.”
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