Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Gets Vulnerable About Devastating Achilles Injury
'It was the first time I ever doubted myself'
When Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the New York Knicks last May, it was a crushing blow to both him and the Boston Celtics. The Celtics went on to lose the series, of course, while Tatum has missed this entire season so far.
He’s working his way back and getting close to a return. However, the injury was crushing to a player who prides himself on playing every game and showing up for his teammates.
It hasn’t been easy for Tatum, who opened up about his arduous recovery on Ryan Clark’s “The Pivot” podcast.
“I feel like I could write a book about everything that I’ve experienced and went through…You never expect that it’s gonna happen to you,” Tatum said. “I couldn’t walk up steps. I had to live with my mom. I needed help with everything…One day I felt like Superman, and then the next day I felt like the smallest man on Earth, and it’s been a struggle.”
While it hasn’t been easy, Tatum is now 36 weeks removed from surgery and close to a return. He’s proud of the way he’s battled and overcome the adversity.
“The day I had surgery, I remember I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t think that I could go through rehab, and it was the first time I ever doubted myself. It was tough to admit that,” Tatum added. “I’m proud that I even got to this point of the journey.”
The Celtics have remained competitive without him as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference but are eagerly awaiting his return. If he comes back healthy, he has the potential to give them a massive boost down the stretch and perhaps lead them on another deep postseason run.
