This was the debut (with double-double) in the current season of Jayson Tatum with Celtics

It has been 10 months since Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon, but the wait came to an end on Friday against the Mavs and TD Garden witnessed the long-awaited debut in the 2025-26 season of the prodigal son of the Celtics.

The 19,156 seats surrounding the TD Garden court were painted white on Friday for the game between the locals, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. The reason? Celebrate the debut in the current season Jayson Tatum.

For the fans it was 10 months of waiting, but for Jayson Tatum Those 298 days must have been an eternity that finally came to an end after that fateful Game 4 of last season’s second round of playoffs against the New York Knicks that left him out of action on May 12, 2025.

From that moment on, the doubts surrounding the Celtics and Tatum grew and changed day by day. Could Boston once again be a contender in the East, make the playoffs and make a long run? How long would it take for Jayson Tatum to return? Would I return with a good level? Would the Celtics collapse? Who would take the leadership role on the team? These were some of the many questions that fans and experts had.

The answers about the team have been given by the Celtics themselves and their players throughout the season. Second place in the East with a record of 42-21.

And the answers about Tatum began to clear up on Friday when the six-time All-Star forward made his debut in the 2025-2026 season.

The first cheers for JT were heard when he came out to warm up and several banners to welcome him made their appearance ‘Welcome back JT! We love you’, ‘He’s back’ were some samples for those who days after his injury assured that he would return this season and he fulfilled it.

Moments later, TD Garden erupted as the sound announced: From Duke, number 0: Jayson Tatum!!!…

JT accompanied Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown in Joe Mazzulla’s starting quintet.

In his first minutes on the court, Tatum went 0-2 in field goals, 0-1 in triples, captured two rebounds and served a couple of assists; He did not score points and left with 6:08 left in the first; He accused a lack of competitive rhythm and touch to score.

After a brief rest on the bench, he went to the exercise bike to stay warm while waiting for a new opportunity that occurred until the start of the second quarter.

Tatum’s lack of competitive activity manifested itself when he attempted a dunk with his right hand and his elevation was not enough, as the ball hit the rim. For the second quarter he continued without adding points and came out with 6:25 left to return three minutes from the end of the first half.

Their first points came almost consecutively. The first two on a dunk after capturing an offensive rebound with 1:13 left in the second quarter and another three from the arc on a shot down the left lane with 51 seconds left.

In 14 minutes on the court, JT scored 5 points as a result of 2-8 from the field, 1-4 in triples; He didn’t go to the free throw line. He recovered 5 rebounds, gave 5 assists and had a turnover.

Like the previous two quarters, Tatum started the third and in a few minutes he surpassed what he did in the first half by adding seven points, helping Boston regain the lead on the scoreboard.

For the final quarter, Tatum joined the starting five and his contribution was key for Boston to maintain the advantage and return to victory after the disastrous night against the Hornets.

With 7:24 left, he reached the double-double by adding his tenth score, plus 15 points, extending the home team’s lead to 106-87.

In the end, the result, 120-100, may have been the least of it, what was important for the Celtics was the brilliant performance of Jayson Tatum who in 27 minutes of play had a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds; In addition, he had 7 assists, 1 steal and two turnovers.

A GOOD DEBUT FOR TATUM:

First half

He moved well and passed the ball accurately.

He attacked the rim little and avoided offensive 1 on 1s as much as possible

In the defensive 1 on 1 he looked a bit soft

In the jumps he reflected a certain ‘distrust’ by always landing with his left foot.

Second half

The Tatum that people want to see and that the Celtics need appeared

He had greater mobility

He drove the ball in several transitions and tried more 1 on 1

In three plays of the third quarter he surpassed the 5 points of the entire first half by adding 7

He exploited the left side of the court, where he scored the most points.