The Boston Celtics announced the next steps in Jayson Tatum's recovery process that show signs of progression.
A little over a week after it was reported that things were a bit more complicated in Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum’s recovery from a torn Achilles tendon than thought, the Celtics provided an encouraging update on his rehab process. The team announced Monday that they were assigning Tatum to practice with their G League affiliate in “portions” of the practice at the Auerbach Center in Boston Monday afternoon, after which he’ll be immediately recalled to Boston and continue his rehab. It’s not exactly an update that provides a return date or a timeline, but it does signify that, while not rushing the process, the Celtics are seeing things move forward in his rehabbing. Tatum will participate in the practice with guard Hugo Gonzalez and Celtics center Amari Williams.
Tatum tore his Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals last May. Despite their franchise star’s absence, Boston has rallied to third in the East with a 34-19 record. It’s allowed the Celtics to see what they really have in their team as All-Star Jaylen Brown has shouldered the load with multiple contributors around him. Boston has been very careful with his process, and this is a good chance for controlled exposure versus a push for a return date or a cross-off on a checklist.
Here is the full story from Celtics writer Tom Carroll, who delves into the deliberate approach by Boston and what this update signifies.
It’s not a traditional rehab assignment where Tatum needs the game action in Maine, and it doesn’t put pressure on things with the immediate recall. The Celtics have been careful not to give a return date, and that shouldn’t be expected. But they’ve been equally careful with the way they’ve given out information on Tatum’s process, and this certainly signals that it’s moving.