The Boston Celtics have been having an amazing year without their franchise star, Jayson Tatum, and have accrued a record of 34-18 and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they might be getting a major update on the Tatum front.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Tatum has started controlled basketball activities, including five-on-five scrimmages.
“Sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches. He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn…there’s more phases in his rehab, he has to practice with his team of course, and then again there’s also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude, a torn achilles, in May, to a really good team that has aspirations to advance in the playoffs. Jayson Tatum has made clear to the people around him that he wants to come back as close to Jayson Tatum as possible, not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself,” Charania stated.
Last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, six assists, and 1.1 steals in 36.4 minutes per game in 72 games. He was the driving force of their offense, as he could score, rebound, make plays, and anchor down on defense by getting a steal pretty much every game.
Luckily, his teammates have rallied without him, led by his co-star, Jaylen Brown, who’s having an MVP-candidate season. However, this doesn’t mean Tatum should sit out this season.
Overall, it’s up to Tatum whether he returns or not. Although, if he feels confident he can be who he’s known to be, he should return, to give his team their best possible chance at Banner 19.
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