Jayson Tatum Returns for Celtics vs Mavericks

Jayson Tatum is back. The Celtics star will start Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden, his first NBA game since tearing his Achilles in Game 4 of last spring’s Eastern Conference semifinal against the Knicks. Tatum had surgery May 13 and returns 10 months later. “I might be emotional, but I’ll be excited,” he told People’s Eileen Finan. Boston is 41-21 and sits second in the East with 20 games left. Joe Mazzulla said he had “no idea” about a minutes limit, while ESPN’s Jorge Sedano reported none. ESPN’s Shams Charania said Tatum could be eased in, and Brett Siegel reported a 20-minute range. The Celtics need him healthy and sharp before the playoffs.