Jayson Tatum is finally back in the NBA, returning for the Boston Celtics’ 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. It was a commendable performance, with Tatum scoring 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out seven assists.

For 298 days, Jayson Tatum had been sidelined recovering from the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last May. The road back was long, tedious, and often lonely.

NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James welcomed Jayson Tatum back to the NBA after the Boston Celtics star returned from Achilles surgery and posted a near triple-double performance

After the game, Jayson Tatum became emotional while reflecting on the difficult journey he endured during his rehabilitation process.

Yes, this is the next step in his rehab process, but it's clear that his first game back is almost more ceremonial than anything else.