NEW YORK (AP) — Jayson Tatum put on an impressive performance at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, marking his return since injuring his Achilles tendon last season’s playoffs.
The Celtics star scored 24 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out eight assists. He shot 7-for-22 from the field, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range, and went 8-for-10 from the free-throw line in 40 minutes. Despite his efforts, New York emerged victorious with a 112-106 win, led by Jalen Brunson’s 25 points and 10 assists.
Tatum played without his teammate Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined due to left Achilles tendinitis. The loss also caused the Celtics to miss out on securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, a position that seemed unlikely after Tatum was expected to be out for most of the season.
The injury occurred on May 12 during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, when Tatum fell during a Knicks victory. Following that game, New York went on to win the series, ending the Celtics’ championship hopes.
Prior to the game, Tatum expressed feeling nervous and anxious about playing at Madison Square Garden again, given his past traumatic experience there. Despite his apprehensions, he decided to face the challenge head-on and take to the court.
Since his return on March 6, Tatum has participated in 16 games. Despite some reluctance, he acknowledged the importance of playing at Madison Square Garden and the growth that comes with facing such challenges.
Coach Joe Mazzulla commended Tatum’s vulnerability and openness, mentioning that the game presented both emotional challenges and opportunities for the young player. He noted Tatum’s readiness to confront these challenges and anticipated a strong performance from him.
While Tatum’s return was notable, it’s worth mentioning that Brown had been instrumental in carrying the team during Tatum’s absence, averaging 28.8 points per game in 70 appearances this season.
