Overview

• The Celtics forward ruptured his right Achilles on May 12 against the Knicks and underwent surgical repair the next day.
• Tatum told Healthline the initial opioid left him nauseous and out of it, leading his doctor to prescribe Journavx (assuzetrigine) for acute post‑op pain.
• His HSS surgeon says Journavx acts in the peripheral nervous system and “never reaches the brain,” asserting no addiction risk and urging patients to review potential side effects with their clinicians.
• He has partnered with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to share his experience and has discussed the medication publicly, including on ESPN’s NBA Today.
• O’Malley estimates a 9–12 month return-to-play timeline and calls Tatum a model rehab patient; Essence lists reported Journavx side effects and reports the drug has FDA approval.