BOSTON — Jayson Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics on Monday afternoon, sparking excitement that his return was around the corner. But then, on Tuesday afternoon, the Celtics star addressed the media for the first time since October and delivered the message that his participation in the G League practice should not be read into too deeply.
“It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not,” Tatum said matter-of-factly.
The Celtics star, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in a playoff game on May 12th, made clear in October that he was not ruling out a return this year.
As such, speculation regarding his potential return has ramped up as Tatum nears the 9-month mark in his recovery. In recent weeks, the likelihood of his potentially returning seems to have shifted multiple times.
Last month, Tatum worked out extensively in front of reporters at a shootaround in Detroit, sparking speculation that his return was near.
Then, a few weeks later, he shared on an episode of the Pivot Podcast that he had begun to have doubts regarding whether he should return this season.
“That’s something I contemplate every day,” Tatum said. “More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50-some odd games without me, so they have an identity this year or things they’ve felt that has clicked for them and it’s been successful…so there’s a thought in my head that is like, how does that work? How does that look with me integrating myself off an injury…and it is a thought like ‘damn, do I come back or should I wait?’ In the last two weeks or so, I contemplate every single day.”
A few days after that, ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne confirmed that Tatum has not yet made a decision.
All the while, on the Celtics’ side, Brad Stevens confirmed that the team will not hold Tatum back if he is cleared and wants to play.
“When it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it,” Stevens said last week. “There’s still no force from us. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not gonna be any of us saying, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just take another week?’ When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Derrick White, meanwhile, offered it’s simply been great to see Tatum’s progression.
“It’s been amazing to see, obviously, all the work he’s putting in,” White said last month. “You just kind of see him being around more, and being able to do more. So that’s exciting to see, as a friend. Every day he’s been working hard, and it’s good to see all that hard work add to some more movement and more opportunities.”
On February 10th, Tatum set to record straight, answering questions directly from the Boston press.
What Tatum had to say as he addressed Celtics media on Tuesday
Tatum didn’t drop any major news in his first full media availability since Media Day (he also spoke to SB Nation in October). But the Celtics star did shed some light on the G-League practice heard around the world, overall recovery, and thoughts on the Celtics’ success this season.
On practicing with the Maine Celtics: “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.”
”Had a jersey on. Just felt good to be a part of a team, and practice, go through reps, stuff like that.”
On whether he’s trusting his Achilles more: “I feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday — the physical, conditioning, trusting it, every day I feel a little bit better.”
On the next steps in his recovery: “More conditioning, more live things. Getting acclimated to playing 5-on-5 and contact.”
My thoughts: Tatum has been playing 5-on-5, but there’s a difference between just getting cleared for 5-on-5 and actually playing NBA basketball at the level he was at pre-injury.)
On his communications with Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and DeJounte Murray — all stars who also suffered Achilles injuries last year: “Periodically, I talk to those guys… those kinds of guys are on a similar boat throughout this process, encouraging each other.”
My thoughts: Haliburton and Lillard both almost immediately ruled out returns this season, so there was a clear difference between Tatum’s journey and theirs from the jump. But, Haliburton in particular has spoken at length about how great it’s been to have camaraderie and support from fellow NBA stars throughout this process).
On what it’s been like to watch games on the sidelines: “It’s been tough not being able to play and compete. You know how much I love this game. I love being out there. But I’ve also grown an appreciation for the game, for my teammates, and just guys around the league, sitting back and being able to watch guys take their next step, it’s been kind of cool to see.”
“I sit next to the coaches, hear their commentary, see it through the lens of the coach.”
My thoughts: Tatum has been to nearly every shootaround, game, practice, and film session this season, and he’s been extremely engaged on the sidelines — cheering on his teammates, offering support, and even joining the team for preseason travel. He could have retreated, knowing that a lengthy recovery was ahead, but he didn’t. That’s likely to make his return a little bit more seamless.
On what his acclimation to the new-look Celtics could look like: “It might look different. I haven’t played with these guys, with this group, but we have a lot of high-IQ guys out there, and I’d like to consider myself one of those types of players. So, if that did present itself, and I did come back, we’re professionals, we’d figure it out.”
My thoughts: This will not be an issue. Yes, it’ll be an adjustment to have a player like Tatum back on the floor playing extensive minutes. But, above anything, it’ll be a great thing — because Tatum is a great player who will almost immediately elevate the Celtics’ play on both ends of the floor.
On his stated doubts regarding potentially returning: “Over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hands. You think about a lot of things. Just hyper aware of what’s going on. I think it would just stem from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team. But I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well. And, not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment.”
My thoughts: I think we’ve talked about Tatum’s Pivot quote way too much. He said it best: for a moment, he was vulnerable. I don’t think he genuinely believes his return would hurt the Celtics, and I think he remains extremely confident. But, it’s an emotional journey back, and he simply opened up on a podcast appearance, probably not thinking it would become the news cycle for the next three weeks.
On reports he might not come back: “Still trying to figure it out. Still just going through the progressions of rehab. Not saying that I’m coming back or not. It’s all about being 100% healthy and going through the plan.”
My thoughts: Even if Tatum knows whether he is or isn’t coming back, he’s not going to tell us today. Why wouild he?
On the addition of Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics: “Vooch is a hell of a player. Obviously, I’ve competed against him for the last 8 years, and [I’m] excited about the things that he brings to this team, different dynamics. We’re all excited to have him.”
On Jaylen Brown’s big season: “It’s been great. Even before the season, there was no doubt in my mind that he, and P [Payton Pritchard] and D-White and all these guys, I knew what they were capable of. Whenever somebody that loves the game that much, and works as hard as they do, gain more opportunity, I’m not surprised [by] what they’ve been able to accomplish. It’s been really fun to see.”
On how he feels the Celtics stack up against the East’s best teams: “We’ve been one of the best teams all season. And we’ll continue being one of the best teams.”
