Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum returned to action from a ruptured Achilles tendon less than only four weeks ago and he just logged a triple-double for the first time this season on Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
Tatum finished with 25-points (9-of-21 FG, 4-of-13 3PT), 18 rebounds, and 11 assists in 37 minutes. He also had two steals and finished as a plus-minus at +7. It wasn’t the most points he scored in a game since his return, but it was the most that he’s played in a game since returning to the court.
On the other side of the court, Tatum’s longtime friend, Bam Adebayo, had himself a great game as well. He finished with 29-points (10-of-21 FG, 5-of-10 3PT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 38 minutes to lead the way for Miami.
Tatum and Adebayo have been friends since before they were teenagers, being teammates on the same AAU team growing up. Needless to say, Adebayo knows Tatum well on and off the court. During his postgame press conference, Adebayo said he can tell that Tatum is still “out of shape” since returning from injury.
“I can tell he’s still out of shape. But when you consider someone like that your brother, we’ve known each other since we were like 12, so you see what he’s going through. Obviously checking up on him through the rehab phase and the down days that he’s had, you’re proud of him for pushing to it and putting himself out there this season, still trying to find his way and impact winning. You tip your hat off to somebody who’s been through that and still trying to play.”
It’s a small sample size, but I wouldn’t say that Tatum looks out of shape. If anything, he’s a little more hesitant since returning, which tracks for someone who just went through the surgery and rehab that Tatum did.
In 12 games, Tatum is averaging 21.3 points on 40/32/83 splits with 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
