In 11 games since his return, Jayson Tatum is averaging 20.9 points and shooting 39.9% overall and 32.3% from deep.
There are plenty of Jayson Tatum watchers these days with varying reasons of interest in the Boston Celtics star since his return last month from Achilles surgery.
Some are hopeful observers, as in his teammates and coaches, who wait patiently for signs that Tatum will become fully lethal. Others are fearful, as in Cleveland and Detroit and a few other contending cities in the East, wondering if and when a healthy and frisky Tatum might burst their championship hopes.
And then there’s a certain somebody in Atlanta who happens to be the poster child for returning from such an injury in the NBA – a title he never wanted, but one he triumphantly accepts so many years later.
“There aren’t many bigger fans of Jayson Tatum right now than me,” said Dominique Wilkins.
Wilkins is a legend, a Hall of Famer, the greatest player in Atlanta Hawks history, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, and one of the most exciting talents ever. But there was the day, Jan. 28, 1992, to be exact, when “The Human Highlight Film” was pulled off the air, delayed until further notice.
Wilkins suffered an Achilles tear, which was considered a career death sentence back then, causing his confidence to spiral.
“Yeah, for sure,” he says now, “I was doubtful. I didn’t know if I could come back.”
Keep in mind that the injury was rare and medical procedures and injury rehab weren’t as advanced then as now. And he was 32 when he suffered the injury. Also, remember how Wilkins spent half his time in the NBA suspended in mid-air. His dunks not only mesmerized fans but also stole the souls of defenders and made him one of the toughest assignments in the league for more than a decade.
Wilkins led the league in scoring in 1985-86 and averaged 24.8 points per game in his career. He scored 52 points against the Knicks just weeks before he reached for his ankle and suddenly, this injury pumped the brakes on all of that.
He missed the rest of that 1991-92 season.
But, better: He suited up on opening night of the next season.
Better, still: He averaged 29.9 ppg in 1992-93, the third-highest average of his career.
“I just stayed with it,” Wilkins said, “and it worked out.”
This isn’t just a flashpoint for Tatum, who rehabbed for 10 1/2 months. Dejounte Murray beat a faster return and he has been solid for the New Orleans Pelicans. He scored 35 points (on 14-for-18 shooting) against the Rockets in just his eighth game back, and is averaging 17.3 ppg, 6.5 apg and 5.2 rpg – all in line with his career averages.
Between Wilkins and today’s returnees was Kobe Bryant, who attacked his rehab and return with the same ferocity as he did against defenders standing between him and the hoop.
But the Tatum situation is heightened right now because, depending on his success, it could cause a seismic shift in the Eastern Conference and shake up the postseason.
Drive for another title on Tatum’s mind
The Celtics, powered by Jaylen Brown’s superstar turn, rallied without Tatum this season, with their winning surge defying all logic. This season was understandably labeled a gap year, essentially one to be written off and erased quickly from memory.
Not only was Tatum on the shelf until March, but the Celtics spent last offseason jettisoning championship pieces in Al Horford, Kristaps Porzižis and Jrue Holiday in various trades while never really replacing them with equal contributors.
And look where they are now: second place in the East – where they’ve resided for much of the season – heading into Wednesday’s game in Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
“The main goal is winning the championship,” said Tatum.
As for Tatum’s progress toward that prize, his 11 games can be best described as both a mixed bag yet a reasonable one as well. He has dropped hints of past greatness, followed by sluggish signs.
He’s averaging 20.9 points, a drop from his usual, and shooting just 40% overall and 32% from deep. This is perhaps due to timing and searching for his fast-twitch. A more encouraging sign is his rebounding; 9.1 from a small forward is solid, injury or not. That shows Tatum is willing to mix it up and that his leaping ability is, well, starting to soar.
His latest performance, last Sunday in Charlotte, stands as his finest to date: 32 points, eight assists and no turnovers in 31 minutes against a hot Hornets team.
Tatum said: “I still was kind of tired, so that’s something I’m still working through, but I just liked the decisiveness in my movements, exploding when I needed to, reacting. Obviously, it helps when you hit shots. And I can say I felt better than I did the last game. Hopefully, I feel better than I did today the next time I play. I’m still a work in progress.”
Wilkins has simple advice for Tatum
Tatum also said he wants to be the All-NBA First Team Tatum of the past, but once more threw caution against the wind, conceding, “It’s going to take time.”
The reality is the Celtics can afford to wait this out. Tatum has one massive advantage – he doesn’t need to be the lead singer for the Celtics to win, not anymore. Brown has proven he’s equipped for that role by taking over games in Tatum’s absence and positioning himself as a Kia MVP contender. This luxury isn’t lost on Wilkins.
“I didn’t have that next-guy when I came back,” he said.
Any team with a pair of players on such a high talent level is a certified threat to sip victory champagne. The Celtics won a championship in 2024 when Brown wasn’t as good as he is now (and, remember, he was named Finals MVP). So imagine the possibilities this summer.
The East appears up for grabs. No team has flexed to the extent of sending off invincible vibes. The Pistons are currently dealing with an injury concern with Cade Cunningham out with a collapsed lung. The Knicks have appeared inconsistent at times.
Even after adding James Harden, the Cavaliers are stuck in fourth place and have trailed the Tatum-less Celtics most of the season. Who else? Toronto and Atlanta are still pleading to be taken seriously.
So there’s a whiff of superb possibilities regarding the Celtics, already with 50 wins. Brown is averaging 28.6 ppg and has improved in almost all phases of the game, at both ends of the floor. Coach Joe Mazzulla has been tremendous, Derrick White steady, Payton Pritchard overachieving, along with Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser.
Still, from a championship viewpoint, much depends on Tatum and his chances of commanding double teams again and sending concern into teams on the other bench. That’s why all eyes are on him, and one set in particular.
“I was 32 years old when it happened to me,” said Wilkins. “But the fact that he’s still young and able to come back to what he’s doing right now. I’m happy. It’s not about the competition, it’s about competing with yourself right now to get back to where you left.”
And why is Wilkins so intrigued?
“I’ve been a fan of his from day one,” Wilkins said. “I love that kid. I like his approach to the game, like how he prepares himself, like how he wants to be great. I also look at people’s character, personality, he’s a wonderful kid.”
And advice for Tatum from an Achilles recovery pioneer?
“He’s rusty,” said Wilkins, “but once he knocks that rust off and gets that rhythm, he’ll say to himself, ‘I’m back.’ When you start putting up numbers, the confidence will grow.
“He’s just gotta get (the injury) out of his head. Can’t really think about it. Can’t think about getting re-injured. When I returned, I said to myself, ‘If this thing’s going to pop again, it’s going to pop on my terms. I’m going all out.’ I just blocked it out, came out and did my thing.”
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
