Why Celtics’ Jayson Tatum isn’t thrilled to return to MSG for Knicks showdown

The Boston Celtics (54-25) will be focused on clinching the No. 2 seed in the East when they square off with the New York Knicks (51-28) on Thursday night, but for star forward Jayson Tatum, this contest will carry much more emotional weight. The 2024 champion and four-time All-NBA First-Team selection will step foot inside Madison Square Garden for the first time since suffering a ruptured Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Almost 11 months have passed since that devastating moment, but Tatum remembers the physical and mental agony he endured after experiencing that injury. Needless to say, the 28-year-old is not looking forward to competing in MSG.

“I thought about it,” Tatum said, per WEEI’s Justin Turpin, after scoring 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting in Tuesday’s 113-102 home win versus the Charlotte Hornets. “I’m not like thrilled to go back and play there. Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me. Obviously, I knew, at some point, I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again, so it’s going to have to be this Thursday.”

Jayson Tatum says he’s isn’t really looking forward to going back to MSG on Thursday:

“I thought about it. I’m not like thrilled to go back and play there. Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me. Obviously, I knew, at some point, I would have… pic.twitter.com/kjL06tCdUE

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) April 8, 2026

Tatum should be commended for his honesty. He went through the most challenging night of his basketball career in that building. It is only natural that he still has some wounds to mend. Hopefully, this upcoming matchup against the Knicks will be therapeutic for him. Before being brought to the locker room on a wheelchair, the six-time All-Star posted one of his greatest playoff performances ever.

Jayson Tatum recorded 42 points on 57.1 percent shooting (seven 3-pointers) to go with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. He unloaded his entire arsenal, doing everything in his power to even up the series. The St. Louis, Missouri native went down as a hoops warrior, and the Celtics were eliminated in six games. This time, Tatum intends to walk out MSG under his own power, and as a member of the winning team.

The franchise pillar certainly looks physically prepared for this Prime Video showdown. He has scored 20-plus points while shooting at least 46 percent from the field in three straight contests. But is he mentally ready to exorcise his Achilles demons? Tatum plans to tackle this challenge head on, while also leaning on his family and teammates.

Since there is a good chance the Celtics and Knicks will meet again in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it is probably a good idea to get his MSG return out of the way now.

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