Jayson Tatum is back. After 10 long months sidelined with a torn Achilles, the Celtics star, known to many as ‘The Anomaly’, is back on an NBA floor.
Three games in, the progress is already visible, but so too are the inconsistencies that come with finding your feet after such a long period on the sidelines.
Even without full match sharpness, Tatum has shown why he remains one of the sport’s elite.
Few players could return from an injury as severe as a torn Achilles and produce the numbers he has so far.
More than the numbers, what has stood out is how willing he’s been to trust his body again.
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Still finding his rhythm
Tatum’s scoring totals have risen with each outing, increasing from 15 points on his return against Dallas to 24 in the loss to San Antonio.
On the surface, this is encouraging and suggests he is rediscovering his offensive groove.
Yet his opening game offered more than the scoring line suggested. He finished just three assists short of a triple-double, grabbed 12 rebounds and helped facilitate Boston’s offence despite clear shooting rust.
Even without full rhythm, his ability to impact games in multiple ways remains, a reminder that his value has never been purely statistical.
That all-round contribution matters, because his shooting numbers underline that there is still work to do.
Tatum has increased his shot volume significantly, particularly from the perimeter, where he attempted 14 threes against the Spurs.
He has shot .375, .375 and .417 from the field across the three games, below the level Boston has come to expect from its primary scorer, and he is shooting just 29% from the three so far.
There have been stretches where his shot-making has looked effortless, knocking down multiple attempts in quick succession.
More often, though, it has taken time for him to settle into games, with his offensive impact growing into games as they go on.
These numbers are not necessarily cause for concern. Many of his misses have come from forced or heavily contested attempts, understandable for a player operating under minute restrictions, where the desire to impose himself quickly has produced some rushed shot selection.
This is a criticism that has occasionally surfaced even in his best seasons.
The difference now is that those decisions are coming from a player still finding his timing, not just one lacking discipline.
Trusting his body again
Beyond the box score, the most telling part of Tatum’s comeback has been the way he is moving on the floor.
He has driven to the basket with conviction and hasn’t shied away from contact at either end.
None of that is guaranteed after a torn Achilles, where the psychological barrier of trusting a rebuilt tendon can linger long after physical recovery is complete.
The injury may be healed but persuading yourself to move with the confidence you previously had is a separate challenge entirely, one that many never completely get over.
History shows a mixed picture. Dominique Wilkins returned to All-Star level after the same injury. Others like Elton Brand, were never quite the same.
Tatum will be hoping he can follow the path of Kevin Durant, who remains the benchmark for a successful Achilles comeback.
Given that both underwent surgery with the same orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Martin O’Malley, there is optimism from fans that history could repeat itself.
Ten months in, Tatum is showing none of the timidity that so often defines early Achilles comebacks.
Whilst peak explosiveness may still take time to fully return, he already looks far more comfortable moving than many players do at this stage.
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Boston adjusting to his return
There was understandable concern around how Tatum’s return might affect Boston’s dynamic, particularly given Jaylen Brown’s MVP-calibre form during his absence, averaging 28-7-5.
The question was always whether reintegrating Tatum would disrupt a team that had found its footing without him.
So far, the answer has been reassuring. Rather than Tatum’s growing shot volume coming at Brown’s expense, the extra shots have largely come from elsewhere.
Brown has continued to produce 20+ points, Derrick White delivered a season-high 34-point performance against the Spurs, and key role players such as Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman have remained productive within the rotation.
So far, Tatum’s comeback hasn’t come at anyone’s expense. That may change as his minutes increase and he demands more of the ball.
But three games in, there’s no sign of friction, and that’s exactly what Boston would have hoped for.
Ten months ago, the question was whether Tatum would ever be the same player.
Three games in, Boston are starting to believe the answer is yes.
Because the hardest part of an Achilles comeback isn’t the physical recovery, it’s convincing yourself you’re still that player.
‘The Anomaly’, so far, looks convinced.
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SportJustSport writers 
Nicole Powell