Jayson Tatum is back in action after a torn Achilles, but he's not feeling like himself. On March 6, he returned to the court, playing roughly 30 minutes a night.
What happened?
Tatum admitted that he's trying to give himself grace as he gets back to full strength, but is clearly experiencing frustration at not being at that level.
He conceded that he still doesn't completely feel like himself after Sunday's loss to Minnesota.
Tatum has yet to score more than 24 points in a game since his return.
Why it matters for Jayson Tatum
The NBA athlete knows it will take time to be back to his usual self, and it might not even happen until next season.
Other athletes understand the process Tatum is going through, as many have experienced similar struggles after injuries.
What comes next?
Tatum will continue to work on his strength and endurance, aiming to regain his top form.
On Sunday, he expressed his desire to be himself again on the court, saying "You just want to be Jayson Tatum and feel like yourself again."
Tatum has been a rebounding machine since his return, but that's not what he's known for when he's at his best.
The Minnesota game was a tough loss, and Tatum's reduced productivity was evident, with him scoring below his usual average.
Tatum's quote after the game, "I'm not Superman, so, obviously, it's going to take some time," shows his awareness of the challenge ahead.
He's taking it one game at a time, focusing on his recovery and improvement, and his fans are eagerly waiting for his full return to form.