Mavericks’ Klay Thompson Reveals Message for Jayson Tatum

Getty

Klay Thompson celebrates after making a basket against the Kings.

For the first time since the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Jayson Tatum hit the court to play for the Boston Celtics.

After suffering a devastating Achilles injury less than one year ago, Tatum worked hard to make sure he would be back in time to help the Celtics make a late-season push.

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson knows exactly what Tatum has been through. The former Golden State Warriors star infamously tore his Achilles during the 2020 offseason in a pickup game. He was working his way back from an ACL tear.

While many questioned Thompson’s future in the NBA after back-to-back major injuries, he patiently worked his way back out on the floor for the Warriors over the course of two seasons.

Thompson’s career was far from over. As a 31-year-old, he returned to the court for the Warriors’ 2021-2022 season. He would play three more years for the Warriors before landing with the Mavericks. Years later, at 35, Thompson is still at it.

Klay Thompson Reveals Message For Jayson Tatum

GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 16: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center on November 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The NBA is a league full of competitors, but it can be a tight-knit group full of supporters, whether players are teammates or not.

Last year, the league saw three superstars go down with the same injury during the playoffs. Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton have kept in contact with each other throughout their recovery processes.

Thompson is five years removed from his setback, but he still had a message for Tatum ahead of the Celtics star’s return to action. He revealed it to The Athletic this week.

“I just told him how happy I was for him and if I were to do it again, I would have given myself more grace, especially the first year I came back,” Thompson said. “You have rough nights from the field shooting, and you want to go in a dark place and think you’re not the same player. But that’s not the case. With modern medicine and advancements and training, you can definitely get back to All-NBA level, and he will do that.”

When Thompson returned, he averaged 19.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while shooting 39% from three over his final three years with the Warriors.

The role has changed a bit since landing with the Mavericks, but Thompson is still productive as he produces 13.0 points (38% 3PT), 2.9 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game.

After 62 games had passed for the 2025-2026 NBA season, Tatum started and checked in for 27 minutes against Thompson and the Mavericks on Friday night. He shot 6-16 from the field and drained a handful of threes. Tatum wrapped up the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.

The Celtics defeated the Mavericks 120-100.

Moving forward, the Celtics have to approach the situation with caution. They want to make sure Tatum is in proper shape for the playoffs, but they also can’t rush the process. Keeping him healthy for the present and the future is the most important goal as Tatum gets back into full swing.

Thompson is among several NBA stars to overcome the odds and stay highly productive after recovering from an Achilles injury. He is confident that Tatum will be the next.

Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso