Former NBA Star Calls Jayson Tatum’s Comeback ‘Incredible’ originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
What Jayson Tatum is doing for the Boston Celticsshouldn’t be possible.
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Less than a year after tearing his Achilles in the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Tatum is already back to being one of the best players in the NBA. He’s scored at least 25 points in each of his last three games, including his triple-double against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
He’s way ahead of schedule and has been impressing NBA analysts left and right, including former NBA star Quentin Richardson.
Richardson discussed Tatum’s amazing return to form on Thursday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.”
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“What Tatum is doing from a basketball-playing standpoint is incredible in my eyes, to be back this quick from that type of injury, and then to be back in this type of form,” Richardson said. “He’s far exceeded what I thought he could be doing. The numbers, the rebounds and assists are crazy right now.”
Through 12 games, Tatum is averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 assists and a career-high 9.8 rebounds per game despite being on a minutes restriction for the first handful of games. He also has seven double-doubles, including six in his last nine games.
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Tatum may not be fully himself in terms of scoring or shooting just yet, but his all-around contributions have been incredible, helping the Celtics go 10-2 with him in the lineup.
With Tatum heating up and Brown playing at an MVP level, Boston looks remarkably dangerous with the NBA Playoffs coming up in a few weeks.
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