As his grueling rehabilitation from an Achillies injury in Game 4 of the NBA East Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks continues, St. Louis-born NBA star Jayson Tatum says his son Deuce has been an inspiration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were sitting on the couch watching some of my high school and college highlights and I asked him \u2018You think Daddy\u2019s going to come back and be able to do that again?\u2019\u201d Tatum shared with ESPN NBA Today host Malika Andrews.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an innocent way, he looked at me and said, \u2018Of course.\u2019 I really needed that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tatum\u2019s torn Achilles tendon ended his season, and his Boston Celtics would be bounced from the playoffs by the Knicks in Game 6.<\/p>\n
The former Chaminade High School and Duke University blue-chip player, who is now among the highest-paid NBA stars, thinks his injury cost his team the series.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played this in my head a thousand times; what happens if I never got hurt?\u201d Tatum said on ESPN.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to say what would\u2019ve happened, but I just know I\u2019ve been down 3-2 on the road three times in my career, and I was 3-0.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tatum is steadfast that he could return to action before the end of the 2025-26 season. He is at a new benchmark in his recovery.<\/p>\n
He wants to \u201cgradually keep increasing, ramping up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long, long journey,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reflect on the surgery. Then you get the stitches out, to (removing) the walking boot. At four weeks, you\u2019re at 50% of weight bearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe important thing is full recovery, making sure I\u2019m 100% healthy before I step back out on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had his first on-court workout last week, which he called \u201ca relief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tatum said he has confided in his mom, trainers, and friends that he will have a date marked on the calendar for his return. He has not set the date, but he has a plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever that day is, it will be at a home game before the fans at the TD Garden,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tatum recorded a stellar 2024-25 regular season and had the Celtics primed for a chance to repeat as NBA Finals champions. In 72 games, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and six assists.<\/p>\n
Tatum posted 28.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists\u00a0in eight games in the 2025 playoffs before his injury.<\/p>\n
Should he return before season\u2019s end, he will rejoin a different Celtics team than the one he left in May during the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Gone are Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis\u00a0from the roster that won the 2023-24 title.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bench players Luke Kornet, Al Horford and Torrey Craig are on new teams, while the Celtics added Anfernee Simons, Chris Boucher and Luka Garza.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited about this team we have. Throughout this business, throughout the NBA, there is always going to be change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t be able to keep the same team forever. Now it\u2019s a new chapter, a new journey, and I couldn\u2019t be more excited about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tatum sounds determined to play again once spring 2026 rolls in. I would not bet against it.<\/p>\n
The Reid Roundup<\/p>\n
The first of the 14 Black quarterbacks who started Week 1 in the NFL to be benched is Russell Wilson. The New York Giants tabbed rookie Jaxson Dart as starter for the remainder of the year\u2026Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will miss a second game with a sprained knee. He says his return is up to team doctors\u2026Michael Penix was awful in the Atlanta Falcons\u2019 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers and was replaced in the game by Kirk Cousins. Coach Raheem Morris says Penix is in no danger of losing his starting role\u2026Add another Black QB starter to the 2025 mix. Veteran Tyrod Taylor stepped in for the New York Jets last week as starter Justin Fields recovered from a concussion\u2026According to NFL.com QB rankings, Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is No. 3, followed by Kansas City Chiefs signal caller Patrick Mahomes at No. 4. They square off on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium\u2026Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is also in the Top 10. He is ranked No. 6.<\/p>\n
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