Jayson Tatum Shines On Return As Boston Celtics Rout Dallas Mavericks!

Last Updated:March 07, 2026, 09:54 IST

Tatum, playing for the first time since rupturing his right Achilles tendon during the playoffs last May, scored 15 points to help the Celtics secure a commanding 120-110 win.

Jayson Tatum made a triumphant return from a long-term injury as the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-100 in the NBA on Friday.

Tatum, playing for the first time since rupturing his right Achilles tendon during the playoffs last May, scored 15 points to help the Celtics secure a commanding win.

Boston’s packed TD Garden gave the popular 28-year-old a rousing standing ovation as he took to the court for the first time in 298 days.

The six-time NBA All-Star looked apprehensive during a slow start but began to resemble his old self after scoring his first points late in the second quarter.

A two-point tip-in dunk got him on the scoreboard, and he followed that with a confident step-back three-pointer from the corner, giving the Celtics a 55-53 lead.

He added 10 more points in the second half as Boston pulled clear for a win, which leaves the second-placed Celtics on 42-21 in the Eastern Conference, close behind the Detroit Pistons (45-16).

“It was surreal, it was an emotional day," Tatum told ESPN after the win. “Many days I dreamed about this, and it’s great it finally happened. Sharing it with my family, my teammates, and the crowd was everything I ever dreamed of."

Tatum admitted that during his long rehabilitation, he even questioned whether he would be able to return.

“It’s been tough," he said. “A lot of times I doubted myself. Many nights I spent crying. But I just tried to keep showing up every day and put my best foot forward. I’ve still got a long way to go, but this is a huge step for me."

Tatum added that his teammates’ impressive form this season had helped motivate him to return.

“Being around these guys motivated me – the way they’ve attacked the season, the way they’ve competed together," he said.

“Going through rehab is lonely; you kind of feel isolated. You just can’t be out there. But being around them as much as I possibly could still made me feel like I was part of the group, and that helped me a lot."

Tatum was part of a balanced Boston offensive performance in Friday’s win. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics’ scoring with 24 points, while Derrick White added 20. Payton Pritchard also caught the eye with 18 points off the bench.

Klay Thompson led the Mavericks’ scoring with 19 points off the bench, including five three-pointers.

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