In a stunning development that’s sending shockwaves through Boston, Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson has opened up about a heartfelt message he shared with Jayson Tatum as the Celtics star makes his triumphant return from a brutal Achilles injury.
For the first time since the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Tatum stepped back onto the court for the Boston Celtics, marking a major milestone less than a year after his devastating setback. Determined to aid his team’s late-season surge, Tatum poured everything into his rehabilitation to ensure he’d be ready to contribute.
Thompson, the veteran sharpshooter who knows the pain all too well, can relate deeply to Tatum’s journey. The ex-Golden State Warriors icon suffered a infamous Achilles tear during the 2020 offseason in a casual pickup game—right as he was recovering from a prior ACL injury.
Skeptics doubted Thompson’s NBA future after those consecutive blows, but he methodically rebuilt himself over two grueling seasons before rejoining the Warriors on the floor.
Far from fading away, Thompson’s career reignited. At 31, he laced up for the 2021-2022 season with Golden State, delivering three more solid years before signing with the Mavericks. Now 35, he’s still thriving in the league.
Getty DALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 16: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center on November 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
The NBA thrives on fierce competition, yet it’s also a brotherhood where players rally around each other, regardless of team lines.
Last playoffs, the league watched in horror as three elite stars—Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton—all succumbed to Achilles injuries. The trio has stayed connected, supporting one another through their arduous recoveries.
Though five years past his own ordeal, Thompson felt compelled to reach out to Tatum before the Celtics forward’s comeback. In a bombshell revelation to The Athletic this week, Thompson shared his words of wisdom.
“I just told him how happy I was for him and if I were to do it again, I would have given myself more grace, especially the first year I came back,” Thompson disclosed. “You have rough nights from the field shooting, and you want to go in a dark place and think you’re not the same player. But that’s not the case. With modern medicine and advancements and training, you can definitely get back to All-NBA level, and he will do that.”
Upon his return, Thompson posted impressive averages of 19.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, hitting 39% from beyond the arc across his last three Warriors seasons.
His role has evolved in Dallas, but he’s still a key contributor, averaging 13.0 points (38% from three), 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
After sitting out the first 62 games of the 2025-2026 season, Tatum made his eagerly anticipated debut on Friday night, starting against Thompson and the Mavericks. In 27 minutes, he went 6-16 from the field, knocking down several threes to finish with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
Boston cruised to a convincing 120-100 victory over Dallas.
As Tatum ramps up, the Celtics must tread carefully—balancing his conditioning for a playoff run without overexerting him. Preserving his health for now and the long haul remains priority one as he regains top form.
Thompson joins a select group of NBA greats who’ve defied the odds post-Achilles tear, maintaining elite production. He’s bullish on Tatum becoming the latest success story in this resilient narrative.