Tatum worked eight days a week to get to this point.
Insider Details Jayson Tatum's Extreme Gym Obsession During Achilles Recovery originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With Jayson Tatum hours away from his long-awaited return with the Boston Celtics, stories of his dedication are rising to the surface, painting a picture of a superstar unwilling to leave anything to chance.
On Thursday, NBA analyst (and former Celtics center) Kendrick Perkins revealed what he learned recently from Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell regarding Tatum's rehab process. Perkins shared that the team had to practically force Tatum to take breaks.
“Sam Cassell told me that they literally had to tell Jayson Tatum, that we’re not coming in on Sunday and you’re not coming in either. That’s how much he was living in the gym,” Perkins said on ESPN's NBA Today program.
Kendrick Perkins on what he heard from Sam Cassell about Tatum’s recovery:
— jb (@lockedupjb) March 5, 2026
“Sam Cassell told me that they literally had to tell Jayson Tatum, that we’re not coming in on Sunday and you’re not coming in either. That’s how much he was living in the gym.”pic.twitter.com/GiksW4kZIW
This kind of intensity isn't surprising for Tatum, who's always been known for his work ethic. With the Celtics holding a strong 41-21 record and sitting second in the Eastern Conference, JT's impending debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday could inject even more firepower into an already potent lineup.
Teammates and coaches have marveled at how Tatum stayed connected despite the injury sidelining him for nearly 10 months. His presence in meetings, film sessions, and even on the road has kept the group locked in.
The Celtics have exceeded expectations without their All-NBA star, but adding his scoring punch and defensive versatility could be the difference in a stacked East.
It's incredible that Tatum will have returned from his injury in under a calendar year.
He put together another All-NBA caliber campaign in 2024-25, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game across 72 starts, earning his sixth All-Star nod while leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Though his playoff run was cut short by the Achilles tear in Game 4 versus the Knicks, Tatum still posted 28.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per outing in eight playoff games, showcasing why he's one of the league's best players.
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