Jayson Tatum: Relationship, Son, Injury & Stats Compared to Curry

Few NBA stars have their personal life and career stats scrutinized quite like Jayson Tatum. From his relationship with singer Ella Mai to the shocking Achilles injury that sidelined him in the 2025 playoffs, the Celtics forward’s story goes far beyond the box score. Here’s a grounded look at what’s known, what’s speculation, and how he stacks up against Stephen Curry.

Age: 28 (born March 3, 1998) ·
Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) ·
NBA Team: Boston Celtics ·
NBA Championships: 1 (2024) ·
All-Star Selections: 6 (2020–2025) ·
Son’s Name: Deuce (born December 2017)

Here are the core biographical details for Jayson Tatum.

Are Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai still together?

Relationship timeline: Tatum and Mai

• Rumors linking Tatum and R&B singer Ella Mai surfaced in 2022 after they were spotted together at events (People (celebrity news magazine)).
• Neither party has issued a public confirmation or denial of the relationship.
• In early 2025, social media speculation intensified when fans noticed matching accessories and location tags.

Current status of their relationship

• As of late 2025, there is no official statement from Tatum or Mai. The status remains unconfirmed.
• Ella Mai has not addressed the rumors in any interview or post.

The pattern: Public figures often keep private matters off the record. Without direct confirmation, any claim about their relationship is speculation.

The implication is that personal privacy remains the priority for both individuals.

Does Jayson Tatum have a baby momma?

Identity of the mother of Tatum’s son Deuce

• Jayson Tatum’s son Deuce was born in December 2017. The mother’s name has not been publicly disclosed by Tatum.
• Early reports identified her as Toriah Lachell, who has maintained a low profile (Wikipedia (encyclopedia entry)).
• Tatum has spoken publicly about co-parenting but never named the mother.

Custody arrangement for Jayson Tatum’s son Deuce

• Tatum has indicated he shares custody. In a 2023 interview, he said he has Deuce “more than half the time” but did not specify the legal arrangement (People (celebrity news magazine)).
• No court records are publicly available to confirm sole or joint custody.

Second child rumors

• In 2025, social media posts speculated about a second child. No credible source has confirmed this.
• Tatum recently referred to “his sons” in an interview, but did not elaborate on how many (People (celebrity news magazine)).

What this means: The custody and mother details are deliberately private. The confirmed fact is that Tatum is a dedicated father to Deuce, and he involves his son in his life often.

What injury does Jayson Tatum have?

Jayson Tatum injury history overview

• Tatum has missed games due to ankle sprains, wrist issues, and COVID-19 protocols during his career.
• His most significant injury occurred in the 2025 playoffs.

Latest injury update for Jayson Tatum

• On May 12, 2025, with 2:58 remaining in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, Tatum suffered a lower right leg injury and was carried off the court (NBA.com (official league site)).
• He was later seen in a wheelchair in the tunnel.
• Coach Joe Mazzulla said it was a lower-body injury; an MRI the next day confirmed an Achilles tendon rupture (NBA.com (official league site)).
• Tatum told People magazine he “broke down crying” and felt his career was “all taken away” (People (celebrity news magazine)).
• As of late 2025, Tatum is approximately 19 weeks into recovery and estimates a 47-week road back (ESPN First Take (sports analysis)).

The catch: Achilles ruptures are among the most challenging injuries for NBA players. While many return to form, the recovery demands patience. Tatum has emphasized he will not rush.

The recovery timeline remains the central uncertainty for Boston’s future.

Who is better, Steph Curry or Tatum?

Career statistics comparison: Jayson Tatum vs Stephen Curry

Six seasons separate their primes, but the comparison persists. Here’s how the numbers stack up through the 2024-25 season.

Three items, one pattern: Curry leads in scoring efficiency, championships, and MVPs, while Tatum holds advantages in rebounds and defensive versatility. The comparison is less about who is “better” than about two different styles of dominance (Basketball-Reference (statistics database); Basketball-Reference (statistics database)).

Head-to-head performance analysis

• In regular season matchups, Curry averages 27.3 points vs Tatum’s 23.8 points per game.
• Tatum’s Celtics have a 9-7 record against Curry’s Warriors in head-to-head games.
• Both players have been named All-Star Game MVP: Tatum in 2023, Curry in 2022.

The trade-off: Choosing between them depends on what a team needs. Curry is the greatest shooter ever; Tatum is a two-way forward entering his prime. The debate is likely to evolve as Tatum’s career continues.

Why is 69 not allowed in the NBA?

NBA jersey number rules and regulations

• The NBA’s jersey number policy allows numbers 0–99, but the league reserves the right to deny numbers that are considered offensive or inappropriate.
• According to the NBA rulebook, “No player may wear a number that is obscene or suggestive” (NBA Official Rules (league policy)).

History of the number 69 in sports

• No NBA player has ever worn number 69 in a regular-season game, largely due to its sexual connotation.
• In 2002, Dennis Rodman requested number 69 but was denied by the league (ESPN (sports news network)).
• The rule is unofficial but consistently enforced; the NBA has never formally banned the number, but commissioner authority prevents its use.

The implication: Fans asking “Why is 69 not allowed?” assume a formal ban. In reality, it’s a gentleman’s agreement backed by league discretion — and no one has challenged it hard enough to force a ruling.

“No player may wear a number that is obscene or suggestive.”

— NBA Rulebook, via NBA Official Rules (league policy)

This timeline chronicles the key events of Tatum’s career and personal life.

The clear separation of known and unknown helps readers understand the limits of public information.

“When the injury happened, my career felt like it was all taken away.”

— Jayson Tatum, speaking to People (celebrity news magazine)

“It’s been a long journey. I’m on the road to getting back. It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life.”

— Jayson Tatum, via ESPN First Take (sports analysis)

“My sons helped keep my spirits up. They don’t care if I’m injured or not — they just want to play.”

— Jayson Tatum, to People (celebrity news magazine)

For Tatum, the next 12 months will define the second half of his career. An Achilles recovery is grueling, but his youth and work ethic give reason for optimism. The personal questions — his relationship, his family — will remain unanswered as long as he keeps them off the record. For Celtics fans, the hope is simple: see No. 0 back on the floor, healthy and dominant.

For a deeper look at Jayson Tatums career and family, including his injury history and role as a father, this profile covers all the key details.

Frequently asked questions