Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell offered a positive update on Jayson Tatum’s recovery from his torn Achilles, noting that the All-Star forward is progressing faster than many expected — even if the team still isn’t ready to set a return date.
Speaking on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Cassell praised Tatum’s mindset and daily work since undergoing surgery in May.
“He’s coming along well,” Cassell said. “People keep counting him out, but I like what I’m seeing. He’s active, moving around, doing the work. He’s not limping or slowing down — he’s grinding.”
The comments echo what others inside the organization have said privately: Tatum’s recovery has been nothing short of impressive. The Celtics aren’t putting a timeline on his return, but optimism around his progress continues to grow.
Inside Boston’s New Era
The Boston Celtics are entering the 2025–26 season with a completely new look — and a completely new leader.
Over the summer, Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Jrue Holiday landed with the Portland Trail Blazers, and veteran Al Horford joined the Golden State Warriors. Two years removed from raising Banner 18, Boston suddenly feels like a team in transition.
But amid all the changes, Jaylen Brown made one thing clear: the Celtics still believe in their superstar. Brown delivered a strong message this week about Tatum’s recovery from his torn Achilles — and his words should have fans feeling optimistic.
Brown on Tatum: “I’ve Never Seen Anybody Recover So Fast”
During a live Twitch stream, Brown answered fan questions and offered a glowing update on Tatum’s rehab progress.
“JT looked great, though, I’m not going to lie,” Brown said. “I’ve never seen anybody recover so fast from an Achilles injury, from any injury to that level… JT’s been going crazy… Anybody with a drive and a work ethic and a passion for the game, I’m not surprised.”
Brown’s update aligns with what others inside the organization have seen. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, Tatum has already begun on-court drills less than four months after surgery — calling the pace “potentially unprecedented.”
Tatum underwent surgery less than 12 hours after the injury and has since been training daily at the Celtics’ Auerbach Center.
“I think we’re watching something potentially unprecedented in terms of how quickly he can get back to a high level,” Forsberg said on Arbella Early Edition. “They got him into surgery at an unprecedented rate… No one has ever torn their Achilles and been back rehabbing on this timeline.”
Jaylen Brown Ready to Lead the Celtics
With Tatum sidelined, Brown has become the face of the locker room — and he’s embracing it.
Now the longest-tenured Celtic, Brown has stepped into a leadership role by organizing team dinners, hosting workouts, and leading off-court bonding sessions to build chemistry among the new group.
“We’ve got to make up for lost time,” Brown told CelticsBlog. “We’ve got to spend time with each other and really try to chemistry-build as much as possible. It takes work.”
The team’s early focus has been connection — something Brown and head coach Joe Mazzulla have both emphasized after last season’s rollercoaster finish.
Brown Expands His 741 Brand
Off the court, Brown continues to grow his brand as an entrepreneur and designer. This week, he revealed four new colorways of his 741 Rover signature sneaker, including a Celtics-inspired Galactic Green.
The shoes feature layered green tones with metallic detailing and retain the line’s signature features: a dynamic lacing system, non-stretch arch bandage, and hypergravity EVA foam midsole. Brown also teased three new “space-themed” colorways dropping in Winter 2026, with a likely on-court debut before release.
What It Means for the Celtics
For Boston, this season is as much about survival as it is about belief.
If Tatum returns by February and looks anything like his pre-injury self, the Celtics could still find themselves in the mix atop the East. In the meantime, Brown’s leadership is giving the team a fresh identity — accountable, unified, and battle-tested.
He’ll lead the Celtics into opening night on October 22, when they host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.
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