The Boston Celtics did not commit to bringing Jayson Tatum back this season after he tore his Achilles tendon. They also did not rule him out when the year began. Tatum ended up returning 10 months after suffering the injury during the 2025 playoffs.
Since he has returned, Tatum has struggled with his shot. He finished the regular season shooting just 41.1 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from beyond the 3-point line. His scoring is down from last year’s, as well. Still, it’s an incredible achievement for him to return.
LeBron James doesn’t care what his stats are. He thinks it’s incredible that Tatum is back on the floor so soon after suffering such a catastrophic injury.
LeBron James Praises Boston Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts in a game. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
While talking on the Mind the Game Podcast, James gave Tatum some major praise for returning as quickly as he did.
“For him to be out 10 months, without any basketball, having to recondition himself, and then go back into live action, that alone is a milestone. I don’t think, not only the fans and the peers, we don’t highlight and celebrate that enough. For a guy to come back after an injury like that or just to come back on the floor, that takes a lot.”
James has never suffered an injury that severe at any point in his career. Yet, he understands how much work it takes to return from something like that. With Tatum returning, the Celtics were able to land the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
With Tatum back on the roster, the Boston Celtics have a real shot at winning a championship. While he isn’t the best player on the court for the team this season, he is a worthy number two player behind Jaylen Brown. That’s still good enough for them to win a title.
The Celtics Should be Considered the Favorites out of the East
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum holds the ball. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images)
With Tatum back in the lineup, Boston should be considered the favorites to win the conference. The Celtics have the second-best offense in the league. Most of that damage was done without Tatum, as well. In the last 15 games, Boston has the fifth-best offense with Tatum back.
The Celtics will take on the winner of the worst play-in seed in the first round of the playoffs. They shouldn’t need Tatum to be at his best in order to win that series, but they will need him if they want to win the Eastern Conference. They will especially need him if they want to win the Finals.
Boston will get a week to rest up before their playoff series starts, so Tatum can start to get his wind back a bit. The rest of the roster will get some much-needed rest. Boston is on a likely crash course with the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
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