NBA Star Jayson Tatum 'MY BOYS KEPT MY SPIRITS UP'

AS HE FIGHTS TO COME BACK AFTER A CAREER-THREATENING INJURY, THE BOSTON CELTICS SUPERSTAR IS STILL ‘SUPERMAN’ TO HIS TWO SONS

- EILEEN FINAN

Lying on the couch at his mom’s home outside Boston last spring, his right leg propped up in a splint, Jayson Tatum watched as his 7-year-old son Deuce replayed basketball highlights on his iPad. Days earlier the Boston Celtics’ star forward was playing the final minutes of an NBA playoff game when he ended up sprawled on the court, writhing in pain with a ruptured Achilles tendon. “Deuce,” Tatum said to his son, pointing to the tablet, “you think Daddy’s going to come back and be able to do that again?” Deuce gave his dad a look, as if to say, “Dumb question.” “Of course,” the boy told him. Says Tatum of his son’s confidence: “I really needed that. There have been plenty of moments during this when I doubted myself. My son thinks I can do anything.”

Nearly five months after his injury ended his season, Tatum, 27, is determined to live up to his son’s expectations—and to make sure it doesn’t end his career. “It’s been a long journey,” he says. “I’m on the road to getting back. And it’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life.”