Tatum Returns to MSG, Chasing Seed with Trauma

0:00It's April 9th. Welcome to Boston Celtics News Today, AI-powered coverage of your squad. I'm Corey with the story. Jason Tatum steps back into Madison Square Garden tonight for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon there during last season's playoffs. The Boston Celtics face the New York Knicks, but they'll miss Jalen Brown, whose sideline with left Achilles tendonitis. A win locks up the number two seed in the Eastern Conference for Boston. Something folks figured was a long shot without Tatum for most of the year. That injury hit May 12th in game four of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum went down in the fourth quarter during a Knicks victory, and New York took the series, snapping Boston's championship streak. Tatum's been open about the mental side, saying he feels nervous and anxious heading back to that spot. He called it a traumatic experience last time, but plans to suit up and face it straight on. Meanwhile, Brown carried the load in his absence, dropping 28.8 points a game over 70 outings. Since returning March 6th, Tatum's log 15 games, averaging 21.6 points in 9.8 rebounds.

1:06He even ran through the Celtics morning shoot-around at the Garden today. Eyes will be on Tatum, as Boston chases that seed, turning a tough memory into fuel for the playoffs ahead.