Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is making remarkable strides in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, less than four months after the injury suffered in Game 4 of Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks. His progress has sparked hope that he could return sooner than Kevin Durant did following a similar injury in the 2019 NBA Finals, when Durant sat out an entire season.
“Insane. Let’s get it, JT,” Durant wrote on X, reacting to a footage of Tatum jogging up and down the court and taking shots.
Tatum has not ruled out playing this season.
“First thing, I haven’t said I’m not playing this season,” he told ESPN’s First Take earlier this week, underscoring his bullish outlook.
Back on the Court
The video, marking Tatum’s third on-court workout since the injury, showed him moving confidently and getting shots up. “Rusty as a mother [expletive],” Tatum quipped after the session.
“It’s been a long journey, 19 and a half weeks, but I always say brighter days ahead,” Tatum said on his YouTube channel. “A lot of things to look forward to. I just finished my third workout, so I’m finally back on the court. I just want everybody to know, I appreciate the love and support. It’s been a long journey, but I’m working my tail off to get back to full health — for the love of the game, and for the fans who support me and the team. I really appreciate the support.”
Managing Expectations
Recovery from a ruptured Achilles generally spans most, if not all, of a full season. It took 18 months before Durant returned to an NBA game. Tatum is increasingly likely to get back faster than Durant did.
“The most important thing is a full recovery. And I’m not rushing it … at all,” Tatum said on First Take. “But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”
Tatum has also been in regular contact with fellow NBA players recovering from Achilles injuries, including Damian Lillard, Dejounte Murray, and Tyrese Haliburton.
“We’ve all been in communication … Dejounte, Dame, Tyrese … we’re all at different points in our recovery,” he said. “I text them all the time to ask what can you do, and what are you doing in your workouts. We’re all in the same boat, just kind of checking in on each other.”
Patience From Leadership
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens emphasized a cautious approach when asked about Tatum’s progress.
“I’ve said this from Day 1, and I’ll continue to say it: no timelines on Jayson from my perspective,” Stevens said, per Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “My No. 1 goal, my No. 2 goal, goal three, goal four is Jayson Tatum fully healthy, full recovery. And he’s well on his way. He has been incredibly diligent.”
NBA Peers Amazed
Durant’s surprise at Tatum’s speed of recovery highlights just how extraordinary his rehabilitation has been. The Celtics are cautiously optimistic that, with Tatum’s dedication and careful management, he could rejoin the lineup sooner than anticipated, giving Boston a chance to fully leverage one of the league’s premier talents this season.
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