For Jayson Tatum, the road back from an Achilles tear has been as much mental as physical. The 27-year-old Boston Celtics star admitted that the devastating injury nearly made him walk away from the game, in an interview with NBC News.
“It was almost like I felt betrayed,” Tatum said. “I was one of those guys that I never wanted to sit out. I always wanted to play the most minutes, you know. Since I’ve been drafted, I was easily top five in minutes played and games played, and you know, I feel like I took care of my body. I didn’t cheat the game. When it was time to rest, I rested. When it was time to work out or lift or get treatment or whatever it was, I felt like I always stayed on top of my routine.”
That’s what made the injury so crushing for the six-time All-Star.
“So for this to happen, it was just like, man, this was not supposed to happen to me,” he continued. “And for a while, I was kind of like—it may sound dramatic, but I remember telling my mom, like ‘Mom, I might be done. I don’t know if I’ll be able to overcome this or if I’m up for this challenge.’ You know, I just felt defeated. And there was a time I was like, I don’t know if I want to do this anymore.”
Tatum went on to share that when the injury occurred, he broke down. He admitted he cried for two hours, realizing how severe an Achilles tear can be and how long the recovery ahead would take.
The Celtics forward has since shifted into a better mindset, approaching rehab with determination. Though the process remains long and uncertain, his comments suggest he’s embraced the fight to return.
For Boston and for Tatum, the story is still unfinished. What once felt like the end may ultimately fuel his next chapter.
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