Celtics’ Jayson Tatum scores 20 vs. Cavaliers, ‘again within the circulation’
CLEVELAND — Celtics energy ahead Jayson Tatum was grateful he made his comeback from a ruptured proper Achilles tendon at house in Boston.
The six-time All-Star was virtually as happy that his second sport was on the street Sunday afternoon. Tatum scored six of his 20 factors within the fourth quarter, delivering the dagger on a 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining because the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98 in a battle of Japanese Convention contenders.
“At present felt much more regular, simply from a preparation standpoint on this league,” Tatum stated. “It felt like being again within the circulation once more.
“It is simply superb how joyful I’m to be again and desirous to be on the market extra.”
Two nights earlier, Tatum collected 15 factors, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in his emotional return at TD Backyard in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. He acquired a number of standing ovations in his first motion since rupturing the tendon throughout the 2025 playoffs on Could 12.
The followers at Rocket Enviornment weren’t almost as form to him, however these carrying Celtics gear applauded him each time he touched the ball. They included his mom, Brandy Cole-Barnes, who shocked him by making the journey.
Tatum and his mother have been inseparable throughout his 298-day rehabilitation interval, which started following reconstructive surgical procedure on Could 13.
“She texted me this morning to say, ‘Hey, I am coming to Cleveland,'” Tatum stated, smiling. “I appeared up within the crowd and she or he was simply crying. Seeing me on the courtroom clearly brings her numerous pleasure.”
The 6-foot-8 Tatum has began each video games in his return, logging 27 minutes and making 6-of-16 discipline targets in every one.
His taking part in time is being restricted for precautionary causes, however Boston coach Joe Mazzulla made positive Tatum was on the ground at crunch time Sunday.
Tatum missed all six of his pictures over the second and third quarters earlier than coming via in his ultimate seven-minute stretch. He shared the courtroom with longtime Celtics teammates — and fellow 2024 NBA champions — Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
It was the eleventh straight time that Tatum has scored 20 factors or extra towards the Cavaliers, second solely to Larry Fowl, who did it 13 occasions in a row vs. Cleveland.
“We’re glad to have a first-team All-NBA participant again who can do all of it,” Pritchard stated. “It makes us a very good group, and he appears unbelievable. He is doing issues that not many gamers have carried out. It is a simple transition for all of us.”
The Celtics allowed fewer than 100 pts in a sport for the sixteenth time this season, tied with the Hornets for should such video games within the NBA this season.
ESPN Analysis and The Related Press contributed to this report.
