What isn’t discussed nearly as much as the triumphant comeback and the adoration received because of his determination is those quiet times when Jayson Tatum reflects on the harsh reality that he is not the player he once was.
He knew there would be speed bumps and potholes on the pathway to his return to prominence. He knew it would take weeks, perhaps even months to return to his previous dazzling form. There are doubts. There are physical limitations. There are opposing players looking to cook a less-than-100-percent Tatum because the former first team All-NBA player is truly vulnerable at times.
Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, a fellow Duke player four years Tatum’s junior, viewed Friday as an opportunity to best a player he’s long been compared with. The Hawks, winners of 15 of their past 16 games and turning into a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs, jumped out to a 25-9 first-quarter lead behind Johnson’s 12 points.
Tatum, meanwhile, tallied two buckets in the opening period and then missed all of his seven shots in the second. It was another offensive struggle for the prolific scorer, but these difficult stretches have to be overcome. Tatum either had to find a way to score more efficiently or help his team in other ways.
With Jaylen Brown sitting out this showdown with Achilles tendinitis, the Celtics needed both from Tatum — and he delivered. Scoring 21 of his 26 points after halftime, Tatum helped the Celtics to another quality win in a 109-102 victory at TD Garden.
Tatum added 12 rebounds and five assists, but his postgame thoughts shifted to what he didn’t do — how the Achilles injury still impacts his athleticism and aggressiveness; and how more players are testing him defensively or taking chances with tight coverage, knowing he may not lack that first step to create space.
As much as Tatum enjoys the game, relishes being with his teammates, and helping this revamped group to victories, he cannot resist assessing his performance from a perfectionist’s stance — and the feedback is mixed.
“I feel rusty,” he said. “Obviously, you probably can see the moments when it doesn’t look the same or I look rusty, but I think just the mindset of, on to the next play. I’m thankful that I’ve got teammates and a coaching staff that are patient with me in this moment as I’m trying to just figure it out.”
In 10 games over the course of three weeks, Tatum is averaging 19.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He is converting 38.3 percent of his shots and 30.3 percent of his 3-points attempts — far below his lofty standards. But he has to take solace in the baby steps, in the 3-pointers off the pick-and-roll that do drop or the physical layups that fall despite contact.
He displayed all of those elements Friday but in smaller doses than usual. The Celtics needed an engaged and aggressive Tatum without their leading scorer and he delivered, but lacking the efficiency.
“I’m a playing more minutes now and (the comeback) is a thing. You know, 10½ months of not playing, and your wind, your legs, fatigue sets in, and those things take time,” he said. “But for me, just trying to figure out areas and ways where I can still try to make a positive impact on a game.”
Tatum pointed out that he can’t take anything basketball for granted nowadays. For example, his dribbling isn’t as fluid because at times the ball will just roll up his arm or bounce in an unnatural direction. It’s something that will dissipate in time, but that time is not now and Tatum has to accept his weaknesses.
“The flip side of it is being thankful that I’m back playing basketball,” he said. “I remember the 60[-plus] games I had to show up and watch. I remember when I couldn’t walk and wasn’t even running on the court yet. So just a reminder to be thankful for just being able to do what I love again.
“It’s tough to be thankful in the moment, because you want to feel like yourself. But I think after the game, when I get home, I find a time to reflect and just be happy to be putting on my uniform again.”
Tatum said he has put in the physical work for his return, but there’s also a deeply mental aspect to his recovery. Depression can emerge as a trap because Tatum, and many basketball fans on social media, are unrelenting assessors. They don’t offer grace or tolerance, not when the Celtics have a championship on the line.
So Tatum admits he has talked to several people who could offer solace and understanding of his journey, so he can smell the roses of his improbable return while also desiring more, eventually. His family has helped greatly. His 8-year-old son, Deuce, sitting courtside Friday, got his father’s attention before play resumed and just offered some reassuring applause.
It’s the little things at this point — the pats on the back, the small kudos, hearing from others, including his teammates and coaches that this current Tatum is just as welcomed in the locker room as the All-Star one.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people throughout this journey, people in the professional world, people who have been through this, my family,” he said. “I think right now when I’m frustrated or I want to be better, just going home to my kids. I got two boys (Deuce and Dylan) and that puts things in perspective and helps me forget about what just happened in the game.
“Being a father is second to none, and now having two boys and watching that relationship develop. It was just one kid running to me when I walked in the house and now there’s two. That’s a cool feeling.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.