Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum shot 6-of-23 and attempted just one free throw in Tuesday's season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons. Tatum is beginning his first full season back from the Achilles tear he suffered in the 2025 playoffs. A scout at the game said the free throw number is the bigger concern.

"I do wonder if he's the same guy," said the scout. "Does he have the same burst and explosion? I'm not going to overreact to one game, but if the free throw numbers are down in December, that's an indication that he's not back to being himself coming off that Achilles. It's a telltale sign when guys are shooting jumpers instead of getting to the rim like they used to."

Tatum's free throw rate peaked at .399 in 2022-23. It fell to .349 in 2023-24 and .300 in 2024-25. In 16 games after returning from the injury last season, it was .275.

Tatum averaged just over one dunk per game before the injury. He had just four dunks in 16 games after coming back.

Kevin Durant is a recent example of a star returning from an Achilles tear. In his first season back, Durant's free throw rate reached .395, his highest since his 2014 MVP season. It held steady during his time in Brooklyn before dropping after his trade to the Phoenix Suns.