Jayson Tatum hadn't suited up for the Boston Celtics in 298 days before returning to action Friday.
The six-time All-Star ruptured his Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals last May, and he admitted that there were some nerves as he made his long-awaited comeback against the Dallas Mavericks.
"I just felt really anxious," Tatum told reporters after the Celtics' 120-100 victory. "It's been a long time coming just to get to this point. Many nights and days, I dreamed about this moment. The anticipation. The crowd.
"It's been 42.5 weeks since I played in an NBA game, so just trying to get caught up on the speed and everything."
Boston remained one of the NBA's top teams in Tatum's absence, posting the second-best record in the East behind the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics are the only club in the Association ranked in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Tatum says the team's continued success motivated him during rehab.
"The joy and competitive nature that they displayed, I wanted to be a part of that," he added.
The 28-year-old got off to a slow start in his season debut, missing his first six shots, including an uncontested dunk. However, he got on the board late in the first half with back-to-back buckets and rode that momentum the rest of the way.
Tatum tallied 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in 27 minutes, finishing just shy of a triple-double.
"To see him coming back is the start of his story arc to getting back to who he is and where he wants to be. I'm excited," Celtics co-star Jaylen Brown said postgame.
