BOSTON – Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce knows a thing or two about comebacks. In 2000, just before the 2000–2001 campaign, the former Celtic was stabbed 11 times and was taken to hospital for emergency surgery. Less than two months later, he was ready for the season opener and helped lead the C’s to a 103–83 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Pierce continued to play every game that season in one of the most miraculous recovery stories in NBA history. Current Celtics star Jayson Tatum is now writing his own comeback story that’s equally impressive — and Pierce is all for it.
Nearly 300 days after tearing his Achilles, Tatum made his season debut on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. He finished the 120–100 win with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, just three assists short of a triple-double.
Pierce, who has been Tatum’s mentor to some extent, was happy to see his successor return to the parquet.
“He’s back,” Pierce said in a sing-song voice while recording Tatum’s postgame interview. “The East is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”
It’s safe to say that Paul Pierce is excited to see Jayson Tatum play again:
“That’s bullshit. The ex is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”
(via @paulpierce34 on IG) pic.twitter.com/Fzp1s576Wx
– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026
After Tatum’s great start, the Celtics improved to 42–21 and finished in second place in the Eastern Conference. While Tatum was sidelined for 62 games, his teammates did more than just step up. He exceeded the low expectations placed on him during the preseason and had a great few months of basketball.
The six-time All-Star watched it from the sidelines and felt inspired, and appreciated the passion with which the undermanned Celtics were playing night after night.
“Can’t praise the group and the coaching staff enough for the way they’ve attacked this season, the way they’ve competed and played together every night,” Tatum said in his postgame press conference. “I don’t know if there’s a team that’s been more fun to watch play as a unit this season.”
Jayson Tatum got a lot of praise for what the Celtics did to sideline him:
“Can’t praise the group and coaching staff enough for the way they have attacked this season.”
“I don’t know if this is a team that’s been more fun to watch this season.” pic.twitter.com/JTHXi0m3QL
– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026
As Tatum rejoices at seeing his teammates, the rest of the NBA players may be expressing some fear. if the celtics were He Good without Tatum, what can they accomplish with him?
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd saw the answer to that question on Friday.
“As he shakes off some of the rust, he makes the Celtics a contender, and he had a tough year when he was rehabbing, so to get him back, they’re going to be a team that’s going to be tough to knock out,” Kidd said after his team lost its sixth consecutive game.
The Celtics’ mettle will truly be tested in the coming weeks, as they face three straight contenders on the road: the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
No matter what happens, Tatum is focused on getting back to full strength.
“I still have a long way to go,” Tatum admitted. “But it was a really big step.”
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