10 months ago, one of the best players in the NBA tore his achilles in a second round matchup their team was about to lose to the New York Knicks, with or without him. Friday night, Jayson Tatum returned to remind the world how much of a Jayson Tatum fan Jayson Tatum is.
Here’s what JT did in Boston’s 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks:
- 15 points
- 6-for-16 from the field
- 12 rebounds
- 7 assists
- 1 steal
- +20
WELCOME BACK, JAYSON TATUM 🔥
🏀 15 PTS
🏀 12 REB
🏀 7 AST298 days ago: Achilles tear.
Tonight: A near-triple-double. pic.twitter.com/Lqev9sVSDN— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2026
Despite the near triple-double in a bludgeoning of a Mavericks team full of role players, G-leaguers, the shadows of former championship shooting guards and the teenage white savior in the center of it all—Jayson Tatum started slow, 0-for-6 to start this game, including blowing a wide open dunk down the lane rejected by the rim, unable to jump high enough.
Next time, JT 😅
Jayson Tatum attempts the dunk in his return from injury. pic.twitter.com/gcYUxaqB5l
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 7, 2026
It’s his first game back, so we’ll see what happens—but this Achilles injury may have stolen Tatum’s athleticism, forcing him to become a more earthbound baller.
I just can’t wait to watch Tatum’s FIVE-PART NBC DOCUMENTARY, following the day-to-day injury rehabilitation for the most boring, milqttoast, risk-averse, generic “superstar” in the league—I just have to finish my favorite show, staring at a blank piece of paper, so this Tatum doc is exactly the type of content seeking.
How will all this Jayson Tatum attention affect the 2026 Celtics?
Here’s what All-Star teammate Jaylen Brown said about Tatum’s return:
“I thought it was a great atmosphere. Obviously, it was great having JT back. I commend him being able to put himself on the line a little bit to come back and be a part of something bigger. I think that is his mentality. I appreciate that. I know the organization appreciates that because he didn’t have to and no one put pressure on him, but he wanted to be out there.”
Jaylen Brown—a guy who spent his entire season on social media posting his stats, begging for All-Star and MVP votes—the ultimate company man putting over the organization and the “great atmosphere” of the building.
In reality, Jaylen Brown got his 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. The Celtics won. As long as Jaylen Brown still takes the most shots, scores the most points, and Boston wins, Brown is totally okay with the little Tatum sideshow occurring in his peripheral.
But the moment Tatum starts feeling himself, one of those nights where he’s painted himself in Black Mamba face, determined to chuck up the most contested turn-around jumpers while his teammates are expected to just go rebound for him—we will see how Jaylen Brown REALLY feels about Tatum’s obsession with Tatum.
Good luck to the Boston Celtics. You just added a handicapped narcissist.
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