Jayson Tatum made his long-awaited return to the Boston Celtics lineup on Friday night, scoring 15 points in a 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Tatum, who had been sidelined for nearly 10 months due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon, played 27 minutes and contributed 12 rebounds and seven assists despite shooting just 6-of-16 from the field.
Key Takeaways
Jayson Tatum made his return from Achilles surgery, scoring 15 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-100 on Friday night. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 24 points, while Cooper Flagg had 16 points for the Mavericks.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 24 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Derrick White added 20 points to help Boston secure its fourth win in five games. The Mavericks, meanwhile, have lost six straight games.
The game marked Tatum's first appearance since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks last May. He missed his first six shots but showed his playmaking ability with several assists and active screening to initiate the offense.
The Celtics have 19 games remaining in the regular season, including 11 at TD Garden, as they prepare for a deep playoff run. Tatum's return is seen as a significant boost for the team, which is currently second in the Eastern Conference standings.
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