Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum already did something remarkable this season by coming back from a ruptured Achilles tendon in under 10 months, way before most players could even dream of coming back from such an injury.
Therefore, his incredible performance in Game 1 of Boston’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers is hardly surprising but certainly amazing. Special is who he is, and he led the Celtics to a 123-91 win over Philly. The dedication to his craft and to pushing himself to this elite level despite his devastating setback is quite special, and the NBA world was quick to heap praise on Tatum for his comeback and remarkable play since returning.
Jayson Tatum’s Incredible Performance In Game 1 Garners Massive Praise From NBA World
Tatum notched up a double-double and was only 3 assists shy of a triple-double against the Sixers, putting up 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 2 steals on the day. He shot over 50% from the field and made 100% of his attempts from the free-throw line.
It’s extremely impressive to be this impactful, given it’s been less than a year since he ruptured his Achilles tendon.
The NBA world was quick to heap praise on the Celtics forward on social media. The account Basketball University described his feats as “legendary.”
“What Tatum is doing is truly remarkable,” they wrote. “Like legendary stuff. He blew out his Achilles on May 12, 2025.”
What Tatum is doing is truly remarkable. Like, legendary stuff. HE BLEW OUT HIS ACHILLES ON MAY 12, 2025.
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) April 19, 2026
Legion Hoops showed an amazing clip of Tatum taking the ball up the court to the top of the key, stutter-stepping to leave behind the point-of-attack defender, and with one burst, cutting through the rest of the Sixers like a knife through butter for a commanding dunk.
“This man ruptured his Achilles less than one year ago… Now he’s back in the playoffs doing this. Tatum is different,” they wrote.
This man ruptured his Achilles less than one year ago…
Now he’s back in the playoffs doing this. Tatum is different. pic.twitter.com/TWda8XkhmC
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 19, 2026
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports pointed out how Tatum had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in just the first quarter alone.
The rest of the NBA world was also quick to heap praise on Tatum’s incredible showing. Spotrac contributor Keith Smith summed it up simply with three words: “Tatum is awesome.”
Jayson Tatum is awesome.
That’s the whole post.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 19, 2026
Influencer Brett Usher credited the work it took for Tatum to get back to this high level, less than a year removed from surgery.
“Truly unbelievable he’s back at this level already,” he said. “Can’t imagine the work it took.”
Tatum still less than a year removed from that injury. truly unbelievable he’s back at this level already. can’t imagine the work it took
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) April 19, 2026
Some of the credit for Tatum’s excellent recovery goes to Tatum’s trainer, Drew Hanlen. If anyone would know the work it took to get to this level, it’s Hanlen.
After Stat Muse wrote that Tatum is already in the top-five all-time in 25-point playoff games for the Eastern Conference, Hanlen quote-tweeted the post with an ominous warning to the rest of the league: “And he’s just entering his prime…”
And he’s just entering his prime… @jaytatum0 https://t.co/IlJJAUOT1N
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) April 19, 2026
On that note, it’s only right that Tatum’s trainer had the last word on Tatum’s exploits. An incredible game from a special player, and it’s clear there is a lot more where that came from, both in this postseason and beyond.
