Players and coaches keep the focus on patience even as the star forward’s rehab clips ignite excitement.
Jayson Tatum sent Celtics (15-9) fans into a frenzy this week without saying a word.
Just a few minutes of Instagram footage showing him playing controlled 1-on-1 and moving with purpose was enough. He looked more himself than at any time since tearing his Achilles on May 12. The videos offered the clearest public sign yet that Tatum’s rehab is progressing as he approaches seven months of recovery.
Yet, even with visible progress, head coach Joe Mazzulla reinforced on Wednesday when speaking to the media after practice that the Celtics remain committed to a careful recovery process.
The pace of Tatum’s return will depend on his health and the medical staff, not external eagerness or team pressure, underscoring that recovery takes priority over immediate results.
“It’s all up to him,” Mazzulla said. “His health and his process are what matter. You trust him, you trust the team around him, and then you work from there.”
Tatum's continuous engagement with the Celtics during his recovery has been invaluable. He attended every preseason and in-season event, from shootarounds to film sessions, approaching rehab with the same precision he brings to his play. For Mazzulla, Tatum’s commitment and presence have matched his on-court value.
“What I care about is his leadership,” Mazzulla said. “He’s been involved in so many ways - communicating with guys, being at practices, being on the bench. He’s part of our team every day, and he’s helping us get better even while he’s not playing.”
The coach also made a point to remove himself from any speculation about exact return dates, reiterating that the process and timeline for Tatum’s return will be determined by the team’s medical and performance staff, not him.
At practice, guard Payton Pritchard echoed that same team-wide mindset. Asked if the Celtics have considered how Tatum will reintegrate once cleared, Pritchard noted that familiarity won’t be an issue.
But the focus remains on Tatum’s health, not hypotheticals.
“If he comes back healthy and ready, we know how to play with him,” Pritchard said. “It’ll be an easy transition. But right now, we’re locked in on the guys available and putting ourselves in the best spot we can.”
While Tatum works on his jump shot, Mazzulla highlights the demanding nature of the rehab - evidence of Tatum’s commitment to his recovery and to the Celtics' growth.
“Rehab can be harder than the season,” he said. “You’re working at a higher pace and intensity. He’s doing that every day. And more than anything, he’s still helping us grow as a team. That’s what matters most right now.”
With four games left in their mini gauntlet, Boston will then enter a stretch of seven straight games against teams with losing records.
Having won 10 of their last 12 - if Boston can remain hot over their next four, then take care of business in those seven games against bad teams, Tatum is going to be looking at the ability to re-join a roster that will be in the discussion for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
As noted Celtics fan Michael Scott once said, “Well, well, well. How the turn tables…”
Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.