Jayson Tatum Battles Rust in Celtics Return

All-Star forward acknowledges struggles as he works to regain form after Achilles injury

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:05am

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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is still working to find his rhythm after returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for 60 games. Tatum acknowledged being 'rusty' and 'all over the place' at times, but is grateful to be back on the court and contributing to the team's success.

Why it matters

Tatum's recovery from the Achilles injury is crucial for the Celtics' playoff hopes, as he is one of the team's most important players. His struggles to regain his All-Star form highlight the challenges athletes face in returning from major injuries and the patience required as they work to get back to their previous level of play.

The details

In his 10th game back, Tatum scored 26 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists against the Atlanta Hawks, but acknowledged he is still 'rusty' and 'all over the place' at times. He said he has struggled with ball handling, missed layups, and general fatigue as he works to rebuild his conditioning and rhythm after missing 60 games.

  • Tatum underwent surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon 318 days ago.
  • Tatum is now 10 or 11 games into his return to the Celtics lineup.

The players

Jayson Tatum

All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who is working to regain his form after missing 60 games due to an Achilles injury.

Joe Mazzulla

Head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has praised Tatum's effort and aggressiveness as he works to work his way back.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still rusty. Obviously you probably can see the moments when it doesn't look the same or I look rusty, but I think just the mindset of 'on to the next play.' I'm thankful that I've got teammates and a coaching staff that are patient with me in this moment as I'm trying to just figure it out.”

— Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics Forward

“I thought offensively, he got into the paint, was able to get to the free-throw line, shoot 10 free throws, just continuing to chip away at giving the game what it needs. [He] was aggressive in his drives, missed some easy layups there, but as long as he stays aggressive, as long as he makes the right read, as long as he continues to rebound, he's continuing to get better and better.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

Tatum and the Celtics will continue to monitor his progress and recovery as he works to regain his All-Star form. The team's medical staff and coaching staff will work closely with Tatum to manage his minutes and workload as he builds back his conditioning and rhythm.

The takeaway

Jayson Tatum's struggle to find his groove after returning from a major Achilles injury serves as a reminder of the patience and perseverance required for elite athletes to fully recover from such setbacks. While frustrating in the moment, Tatum's willingness to fight through the rust and contribute to winning shows his commitment to the game and his team.