Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum told reporters Tuesday he’s “feeling good” 39 weeks into his recovery from a torn Achilles that ended his 2024-25 campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
But he didn’t tip his hand whether he’d play for the Celtics this season.
Advertisement
“I’m feeling good. It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G-League guys. Today is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey,” Tatum said, per Celtics reporter Noa Dalzell.
Then he added: “And it’s just like the progression of rehab. … It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not.”
Tatum’s comments followed a Sunday report from ESPN’s Shams Charania that the six-time All-Star had been participating in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches.
The team briefly sent Tatum to their G League affiliate in Maine on Monday for part of a practice, too. After the practice, he headed back to Boston to continue his rehab.
Advertisement
Tatum is still working his way back after suffering the Achilles injury last May during an Eastern Conference semifinals series with the New York Knicks. Tatum has more boxes to check during his recovery. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on Jan. 29 that Tatum is considering sitting out for the entire 2025-26 season.
[Get more Celtics news: Boston team feed]
Charania reported Tatum wants to come back as close to 100% as possible. Last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Part of Tatum’s reluctance to return has been how well the Celtics have played without him. At 34-19, the Celtics are neck-and-neck with the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference right now.
Advertisement
“That’s something I contemplate every day,” Tatum said on the Pivot Podcast. “More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would’ve played 50 some-odd games without me. So they have an identity this year or things that they felt have clicked for them, and it’s been successful, right, third or second team in the East up to this point. So there is a thought in my head that’s like, ‘How does that work or hows does that look with me integrating myself off an injury and 50-60 games into a season?’ There could obviously be some challenges, and it is a thought, like, ‘Damn? Do I come back or should I wait?’ It’s something that I honestly, recently in the last two weeks or so, just kind of contemplate every single day.”
Jaylen Brown is also in the midst of a career season. He’s averaging 29.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Brown was recently selected to his fifth All-Star Game.
Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have also increased their scoring numbers, with both guards scoring more than 17 points per game. The team also acquired center Nikola Vučević in a deadline trade with the Chicago Bulls.
Leave a Reply