After the 2024 Championship win, the Boston Celtics are struggling to find a stable ground. Last season, they slipped in the playoffs against the New York Knicks and also lost Jayson Tatum. The 27-year-old forward suffered a devastating Achilles injury during the playoffs, an injury that normally takes at least a year to recover from. Consequently, many predicted that the former NBA champion wouldn’t be seeing the court during Boston’s upcoming campaign. However, JT is reportedly expected to make a return later this season. But the question is, should he?
Recently, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that, despite popular belief, the Cs haven’t ruled out Tatum’s return this season. To top it off, Tatum further sent the front office a message by making a dunk in practice. But given the magnitude of the injury that the forward suffered, is playing this season really the best decision for him and the franchise’s future? Well, Boston insiders Gary Tanguay and Jeff Goodman don’t think so.
While discussing a recent clip where Tatum is seen dunking already, Tanguay expressed his thoughts. “My guess is a year. Yeah, he could be ready. They’re in the hunt. Here’s the problem, and I agree with you. Sit out the whole year. I think we’re all on the same page,” he said. “But here’s the challenge. all of a sudden they get in the playoffs, maybe they’re in the 10th or 9th and they win the opening game or whatever and they find themselves in the second round and it’s May.”
The Boston Celtics’ preseason is in full swing with the 2024 NBA champions playing their opening exhibition game against the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. After winning against the Grizzlies, the Cs lost the battle 107-105 to the Raptors, which was the least of anyone’s concern after the matchup. That’s because when Joe Mazzulla addressed the media, everyone wanted to know about Tatum’s recovery and his return timeline after the clip of him dunking during practice went viral.
What did the Cs head coach say? Well, he answered the questions in typical Joe Mazzulla fashion. “That stuff will take care of itself,” he said. “The thing that’s important to me is he’s here with us constantly practicing, at film sessions, at practice, and he’s getting better in that regard as well.” The championship-winning coach emphasized that rather than his being able to dunk, he’s more impressed with the fact that Tatum is continuously with the team at practice and film sessions.
Mazzulla’s statement indicated that he doesn’t want to rush Tatum’s recovery. On the contrary, he wants him to take as much time as he wants, but make a solid comeback. In fact, this is something even JT himself attested to on media day, as he suggested that he’s under no pressure from the coaching staff or the front office to make an early return.
Jeff Goodman and Gary Tanguay both believe that rushing Tatum’s recovery is a risky proposition. They feel he should prioritize a full and healthy comeback rather than attempting a premature return. The risk-to-reward ratio for the former Duke sensation will be quite high and definitely not worth another major setback.
Joe Mazzulla reveals his thoughts about Jayson Tatum’s return timeline. The Boston Celtics’ preseason is in full swing with the 2024 NBA champions playing their opening exhibition game against the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. After winning against the Grizzlies, the Cs lost the battle 107-105 to the Raptors, which was the least of anyone’s concern after the matchup. That’s because when Joe Mazzulla addressed the media, everyone wanted to know about Tatum’s recovery and his return timeline after the clip of him dunking during practice went viral.
What did the Cs head coach say? Well, he answered the questions in typical Joe Mazzulla fashion. “That stuff will take care of itself,” he said. “The thing that’s important to me is he’s here with us constantly practicing, at film sessions, at practice, and he’s getting better in that regard as well.” The championship-winning coach emphasized that rather than his being able to dunk, he’s more impressed with the fact that Tatum is continuously with the team at practice and film sessions.
Mazzulla’s statement indicated that he doesn’t want to rush Tatum’s recovery. On the contrary, he wants him to take as much time as he wants, but make a solid comeback. In fact, this is something even JT himself attested to on media day, as he suggested that he’s under no pressure from the coaching staff or the front office to make an early return.
Ultimately, the Celtics’ focus will be on ensuring Tatum’s long-term health and return to full fitness, prioritizing a strong and sustainable recovery over a short-term, potentially damaging, attempt to play before he’s truly ready.