Celtics' Jayson Tatum Celebrates Mom on International Women's Day

Tatum credits his mother Brandy Cole for supporting him through his Achilles injury recovery.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum made his return to the court after a 10-month absence due to an Achilles tear. On International Women's Day, Tatum shouted out his mother Brandy Cole, who he says was with him 'the entire way' during his recovery process. Tatum noted that he often sees his mom 'crying' in the crowd out of joy for his return to playing.

Why it matters

Tatum's heartfelt comments about his mother's support highlight the important role that family and loved ones play in an athlete's journey, especially during difficult injury recoveries. Tatum's comeback also comes at a crucial time for the Celtics as they push for an NBA championship.

The details

Tatum made his return to the Celtics lineup on Friday, March 8, 2026, helping the team defeat the Dallas Mavericks. He followed that up with a 20-point performance in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Tatum credited his mother Brandy Cole for being by his side throughout his 10-month recovery from an Achilles tear.

  • Tatum made his return to the Celtics lineup on Friday, March 8, 2026.
  • Tatum scored 20 points in the Celtics' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A star player for the Boston Celtics who recently returned to the lineup after missing 10 months due to an Achilles injury.

Brandy Cole

Jayson Tatum's mother, who he credits for supporting him throughout his injury recovery process.

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What they’re saying

“Often times, I look up, and I've seen her in the crowd, she was just crying. Just cause, obviously, she was with me the entire way.”

— Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics Player (Celtics beat writer Bobby Krivitsky)

What’s next

The Celtics will next play the San Antonio Spurs on the road on Tuesday, March 12, 2026, followed by a matchup against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Tatum's heartfelt acknowledgment of his mother's unwavering support during his injury recovery process is a powerful reminder of the importance of family and loved ones in an athlete's journey. His comeback also comes at a critical time for the Celtics as they aim to win an NBA championship.