Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum as soon as was in tears believing he would not get again on an NBA flooring, however now he is not closing the door on a return this season, simply months after tearing his Achilles within the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Appearing on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday, the 27-year-old ahead stated he refuses to imagine the 2025–26 marketing campaign is misplaced. Tatum suffered the devastating damage on May 12 in opposition to the New York Knicks and underwent surgical procedure the next day. At the time, he performed extra video games since 2017 than another participant and by no means missed a postseason till final spring.
“I haven’t said I’m not playing this season,” Tatum informed the First Take crew. “The most important thing is a full recovery, and I’m not rushing it at all. But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”
The toll of the damage, nonetheless, went far past the courtroom. In his first in-depth interview because the incident, Tatum informed PEOPLE that the pop in his Achilles “sounded like a gunshot.” He recalled breaking down within the locker room afterward, inconsolable as he thought of his future.
“I literally sat there and cried for two hours,” he stated. “So many things ran through my mind: ‘Damn, is my career over? Am I going to get traded? Are all my partners going to drop me?’ My basketball career flashed in front of my eyes. At 27, I felt invincible. It all changed in a moment.”
Tatum added that these doubts adopted him for weeks after surgical procedure, as he adjusted to life with out basketball. He leaned on his mom, Brandy Cole, and his son, Deuce, for power and recalled asking his son if he thought he might ever play at that stage once more.
Deuce’s response helped Tatum regain perception, because the NBA star informed PEOPLE“There have been plenty of moments during this when I doubted myself […] My son thinks I can do anything. I really needed that.”
Celtics president Brad Stevens stated in June that Tatum was “progressing great,” although he stopped in need of setting a timeline. Scouts who’ve watched Tatum rehab have famous that he seems to be forward of schedulealthough medical workers has urged endurance.