Jayson Tatum said he is beginning to feel closer to his pre-injury self after hitting a 17-foot buzzer-beater in overtime to give the Boston Celtics a 125-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
Tatum scored 40 points, made 18 of 22 free throws and delivered his first game-winning shot since returning from an Achilles tear. After Boston’s third consecutive victory, he described the emotion of making a decisive play again and the progress he has noticed in his movement.
“That was a hell of a feeling,” Tatum said. “Just kind of getting back to doing things that, you know, I used to do before I was injured and sharing that moment with my teammates on the court.”
The Celtics star said some movements during games have become particularly meaningful as he continues his recovery, even when they have nothing to do with the final result.
“I’m 18 months out from when I tore my Achilles,” Tatum said. “There’s certain moments throughout a game, on and off the ball, where I’m doing a cut or exploding or just doing something that something in my mind clicks there like, ‘Oh, that feeling is really starting to feel like pre-injury.’”
Tatum said his mindset has also changed since the injury. Rather than entering the season focused on proving something, he has tried to appreciate the opportunity to play again.
“I didn’t come into the season trying to prove anything,” Tatum said. “I was grateful to be in training camp. I was grateful to be in preseason. I was grateful to play the first game opening in Detroit. So, just a sense of gratitude and joy of being in this process again.”
He acknowledged that his return last spring felt different because he was still overcoming a mental hurdle. Tatum played 20 games after returning from the injury, but said thoughts about his Achilles remained in his mind.
“Now, practicing, playing, driving downhill, whatever it may be, the thought process of just thinking about the game and what’s going on and not necessarily thinking about my body is what I’m talking about pre-injury,” he said.
Tatum also addressed his decision to continue playing back-to-back games, saying recovery differs from player to player and that restrictions should not carry a negative connotation. He said his goal throughout rehabilitation was to return as a reliable player.
The 28-year-old finished Tuesday’s game with eight assists and five rebounds, while Boston improved to 3-1. The Celtics host the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
