Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Achilles Injury in Video Ahead of Return to MSG with Celtics

Jayson Tatum opened up about the doubts he faced when he tore his Achilles and the difficulties during the recovery process.

"I literally remember, I broke down crying, like, 'I won't be able to do this.' I never doubted myself before in my life," he told NBA on Prime's Taylor Rooks. "I was in denial, I couldn't believe this happened to me. I was trying to rationalize why. I always respected the game, I didn't take any shortcuts, I never wanted to miss a game. I felt like that day was the best I felt in my career, so for that to happen, it was just like—I was like done with basketball."

But Tatum tackled his rehab process and eventually worked his way back this season. He's now appeared in 15 games, averaging 21.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

Tatum previously said before the injury he felt like Superman and after felt like the smallest man on Earth. When Rooks asked what he felt like now, he responded, "Somewhere in-between."