Celtics’ Jayson Tatum on return: ‘Just being out there a big win for me’

Jayson Tatum needed a little time to find his rhythm Friday night.

The Boston Celtics star missed his first six shots before settling in during a 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks in his season debut.

Tatum eventually finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes. His first basket came on a putback dunk late in the first half, helping calm the nerves after nearly 10 months away following Achilles surgery.

“I really was just kind of grateful,” Tatum said, via ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “Just being back on the floor playing basketball. The fact that I was even able to be out there was a really big win for me.”

Tatum admitted he still has “a long way to go” before feeling fully like himself again.

Even so, the Celtics remain one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams as they prepare to visit the Cavaliers on Sunday.

Boston enters at 42-21 despite major roster turnover following last season’s playoff run.

“I can’t commend the group enough,” Tatum said. “How they competed and played together every night.”