Jaylen Brown shares how Celtics will have Jayson Tatum's back in first game at MSG since injury

BOSTON — On May 12, 2025, in New York City, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent a life-changing event. The six-time All-Star ruptured his Achilles during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and writhed on the court in pain as the bright lights of Madison Square Garden illuminated every moment of his traumatic experience. Exactly 330 days later, Tatum is up and running again with the Celtics and helped them secure a 113-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.

He tallied 23 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists while enjoying the comforts of home at TD Garden. On Thursday night, he will have no such luxury, as the Celtics will face the New York Knicks at MSG — the site of Tatum's brutal injury. When asked about this unpleasant return, Tatum admitted that he wasn't exactly looking forward to it.

"I thought about it, (I'm) not thrilled to go back and play there," he said in the locker room. "Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me. " Jayson Tatum says he’s not necessarily excited to go back to MSG Thursday, where he ruptured his Achilles: “I thought about it, not like thrilled to go back and play there last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me.

” pic. twitter. com/iwFu4o6A0V — Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) April 8, 2026 New York is where Tatum sustained his injury, went under the knife, and woke up in a daze following his operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery.