Celtics' Jayson Tatum Talks Relief of Finishing Game vs. Knicks at MSG 'On My Own 2 Feet'
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was breathing a sigh of relief after making it through his first game back at Madison Square Garden since tearing his Achilles in the playoffs last season.
Speaking to reporters after the Celtics' 112-106 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday, Tatum talked about making it through the game "on my own two feet" despite the final score.
"It was a big moment, a big hurdle for me. I was nervous and anxious to come back here," said Tatum. "Obviously, I wanted to win and play great, but more importantly, I just kind of wanted to walk off the floor on my own two feet.
Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks on May 12, 2025. Given the timing of the injury and typical recovery time, it was assumed he would sit out the entire 2025-26 campaign.
Instead, Tatum returned to game action nearly 10 months to the day the injury occurred, on March 6. He became the just 10th player since the 2005-06 season to return from a torn Achilles in fewer than 10 months.
There haven't been many signs of rust in Tatum's game since returning. He had a slow start in terms of shooting the ball, but his field-goal percentage is up to 45.5 and three-point percentage is at 37.0 over the past six games.
Tatum finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists against the Knicks. It was his ninth double-double in 16 starts. He also recorded a triple-double in a win over the Miami Heat on April 1.
The Celtics had an opportunity to clinch the No. 2 seed in the East with a win. They remain in control of their destiny with a two-game lead over the Knicks with two games left to play in the regular season.
One Celtics win or Knicks loss will secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for Boston. The Celtics close the season with back-to-back home games, starting on Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
