Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is preparing to return to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks. It comes almost a year after he tore his right Achilles tendon there.
Tatum admitted to thinking about his return, but stated he’s not exactly thrilled to play there. He said, “Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me.”
Tatum’s Mindset Ahead of Knicks Game
Tatum acknowledged the need to overcome the hurdle of playing at Madison Square Garden again. “Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday.”
Despite the circumstances, Tatum is approaching the game with a professional attitude. “But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it. I decided to come back and play, so I’m not necessarily skipping certain games. I can’t play back-to-backs right now, but I decided to come back and play, so it’s just another game on the schedule.”
Tatum’s Performance Since Returning
Since his return against the Dallas Mavericks a month ago, Boston has a 13-2 record with Tatum in the lineup. He has shown continual improvement. After shooting under 50% from the floor in each of his first 10 games after returning, Tuesday’s 8-for-15 showing marked the third time in five games he has gone over that mark.
Tatum has also contributed in other areas. These areas include rebounding, playmaking and team defence.
Celtics’ Playoff Positioning
Tatum’s contributions have helped the Celtics move clear of both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks for the second spot in the East. A win against the Knicks would officially clinch the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for Boston.
“Just ramping up at the right time,” Tatum said. “Knowing that post All-Star break is pivotal for teams really trying to compete for a championship. And you want to be physically feeling your best as a unit, playing well together, clicking on all cylinders. And this year is no different. We’ve been playing extremely well going into the playoffs up to this point and knowing that we’ve got a few games left to feel really good about ourselves and then find out who we’re going to play.”
Tuesday also marked a season high in minutes for Tatum. He has gradually increased his playing time over the past few weeks as he prepares for what the Celtics hope is a long postseason run.
The current standings could lead to a Celtics-Knicks series in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum’s Achilles tear occurred in the fourth quarter of Game 4 during last year’s series against New York.
Despite the memories associated with Madison Square Garden, Tatum maintains that Thursday’s game will not feel particularly different.