'I'm Not Superman,' Jayson Tatum Reflects on Celtics Return from Achilles Injury in Trending Video

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is trying to take things in stride as he continues playing his way back into game shape following his recovery from a torn Achilles.

"I'm not Superman, so it's obviously gonna take some time," he said after Boston's 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. "I think the next day, I can give myself a little more grace over certain things, but in the moment, it's frustrating."

Tatum played 31 minutes against Minnesota and finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Timberwolves-Celtics Highlights

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The six-time All-Star suffered Achilles injury in Game 4 of Boston's second-round playoff defeat to the New York Knicks in May 2025, leaving his initial outlook for the 2025-26 season uncertain. He defied the odds by getting back on the court for the Celtics' 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on March 6.

While expectations for the Celtics weren't high in the wake of Tatum's injury, they still sit at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 47-24 record.

Despite trading Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2025 offseason, Boston has remained a playoff contender largely due to the contributions of Jaylen Brown and a deep rotation cultivated by head coach Joe Mazzulla.

While it may take some time before Tatum fully looks like his former self on the court, his presence undoubtedly raises the ceiling of a Celtics squad that he previously helped capture a championship in 2024.

The 28-year-old wrapped up an impressive 2024-25 campaign prior to the injury, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and a career-high 6.0 assists per game on 45.2/34.3/81.4 shooting splits.