CLEVELAND– Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum was grateful to make his comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon back home in Boston.
The six-time All-Star was almost as happy that his second game was on the road Sunday afternoon. Tatum scored six of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, delivering the dagger on a 3-point basket with 1:59 left as the Celtics pulled away. Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98 in a battle of Eastern Conference contenders.
“Today was a lot more normal, just from a preparation standpoint in this league,” Tatum said. “I felt like I was back in the flow again.
“It’s just amazing how happy I am to be back and want to be around more.”
Two nights earlier, Tatum had 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in his emotional return to TD Garden in a victory against the Dallas Mavericks. He received several standing ovations in his first action since rupturing his tendon in the 2025 playoffs on May 12.
The fans at Rocket Arena weren’t as nice to him, but those wearing Celtics gear cheered every time he touched the ball. Among them was his mother, Brandy Cole-Barnes, who surprised him by making the trip.
Tatum and his mother were inseparable during his 298-day rehabilitation period, which began after reconstructive surgery on May 13.
“She texted me this morning and said, ‘Hey, I’m coming to Cleveland,'” Tatum said with a smile. “I looked up in the crowd and she was crying. Seeing me on the field obviously brings her a lot of joy.”
The 6-foot-8 Tatum started both games in his return, logging 27 minutes and making 6 of 16 field goals in each.
His playing time is limited for precautionary reasons, but Boston coach Joe Mazzulla made sure Tatum was on the field at critical time Sunday.
Tatum missed all six of his shots in the second and third quarters before going through in his final seven-minute stretch. He shared the court with his longtime Celtics teammates – and fellow 2024 NBA champions – Jaylen Brown And Payton Pritchard.
It was the 11th straight time Tatum had scored 20 or more points against the Cavaliers, trailing only Larry Bird, who did it 13 straight times against Cleveland.
“We’re happy to have a first-team All-NBA player back who can do it all,” Pritchard said. “It makes us a really good team and he looks amazing. He’s doing things that not a lot of players have done. It’s an easy transition for all of us.”
The Celtics have allowed fewer than 100 pts in a game for the 16th time this season, tied with Hornets for such games in the NBA this season.
ESPN Research and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
