CLEVELAND — Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum was grateful he made his comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon at home in Boston.
The six-time All-Star was almost as pleased that his second game was on the road Sunday afternoon. Tatum scored six of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, delivering the dagger on a 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining as the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98 in a battle of Eastern Conference contenders.
“Today felt a lot more normal, just from a preparation standpoint in this league,” Tatum said. “It felt like being back in the flow again.
“It’s just amazing how happy I am to be back and wanting to be out there more.”
Jayson Tatum’s dagger 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining helped the visiting Celtics knock off the Cavaliers in a battle of Eastern Conference contenders on Sunday. AP Photo/David Richard
Two nights earlier, Tatum collected 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in his emotional return at TD Garden in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. He received multiple standing ovations in his first action since rupturing the tendon during the 2025 playoffs on May 12.
The fans at Rocket Arena weren’t nearly as kind to him, but those wearing Celtics gear applauded him every time he touched the ball. They included his mother, Brandy Cole-Barnes, who surprised him by making the trip.
Tatum and his mom were inseparable during his 298-day rehabilitation period, which began following reconstructive surgery on May 13.
“She texted me this morning to say, ‘Hey, I’m coming to Cleveland,'” Tatum said, smiling. “I looked up in the crowd and she was just crying. Seeing me on the court obviously brings her a lot of joy.”
The 6-foot-8 Tatum has started both games in his return, logging 27 minutes and making 6-of-16 field goals in each one.
His playing time is being restricted for precautionary reasons, but Boston coach Joe Mazzulla made sure Tatum was on the floor at crunch time Sunday.
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Tatum missed all six of his shots over the second and third quarters before coming through in his final seven-minute stretch. He shared the court with longtime Celtics teammates — and fellow 2024 NBA champions — Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
It was the 11th straight time that Tatum has scored 20 points or more against the Cavaliers, second only to Larry Bird, who did it 13 times in a row vs. Cleveland.
“We’re glad to have a first-team All-NBA player back who can do it all,” Pritchard said. “It makes us a really good team, and he looks unbelievable. He’s doing things that not many players have done. It’s an easy transition for all of us.”
The Celtics allowed fewer than 100 pts in a game for the 16th time this season, tied with the Hornets for must such games in the NBA this season.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
