Mar 29, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Jayson Tatum Breaks Silence on Injury After Celtics-Spurs

Originally posted on San Antonio Spurs on SI
By Matt Guzman | Last updated Mar 30, 2025 12:14 AM ET

SAN ANTONIO — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was almost a scratch for Saturday night's contest against the San Antonio Spurs with an ankle sprain.

Thirty-six minutes of playing time after he was cleared, nobody at Frost Bank Center would've believed it. The 27-year-old notched a near-triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to will Boston to its eighth straight victory.

"(We’re) following the game plan and whatever we’re trying to attack or achieve that night," Tatum said in the locker room following the contest. "We’re challenging ourselves right now.”

As for Tatum's ankle?

"I'm just glad that it recovered and healed," he said. "In a good way."

Jayson Tatum asked by @tvabby about the last couple of days recovering with ankle injury:

“Bored.”

He said that he initially heard something pop.

“It was painful, but kind of like a shock factor.”

He knew pretty quickly after he wouldn’t miss too much time: pic.twitter.com/WV8or6QOqb
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 30, 2025

Tatum mentioned a sense of boredom while he waited for his ankle to recover, but beyond the initial "shock factor," the forward figured he wouldn't have to miss too much time.

"(There's) a mental part about coming back," Tatum said. "It felt fine for the most part. As long as I keep playing, I think it'll feel better ... it's a part of what we do."

Jayson Tatum tonight:

29 Points
10 Rebounds
8 Assists
10/22 FGM pic.twitter.com/ueHcnukOS0
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 30, 2025

Saturday night, Boston captured a 121-111 win over the Spurs despite six different double-digit scorers on San Antonio's roster. Keldon Johnson led that charge with 23, while standout rookie Stephon Castle followed closely behind.

Simply put, the Spurs were outmatched, largely, in part, due to Tatum's hastiness to get back in form.

This article first appeared on San Antonio Spurs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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