Celtics star Jaylen Brown wants teammate Jayson Tatum to return to the court this season.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown wants teammate Jayson Tatum to return to the court this season.Charles Krupa/Associated Press
HOUSTON — Jaylen Brown made it clear he wants Jayson Tatum to return to the Celtics, just make sure he’s completely ready, physically and mentally.
For the first time since Tatum expressed trepidation about a return this season from a torn Achilles, Brown commented on his superstar teammate, offering support and encouragement as the Celtics continue their surprising season.
“I think it’s been good,” Brown said of his conversations with Tatum. “I’ve been watching his progression. And I know, mentally, he’s been through ups and downs, just like any other person going through adversity in their career, etc. But I just let him know do what’s best for you. . . . Even if you’re physically feeling well, make sure you, your mind, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, you feel great, too. So I trust — we trust his decision making.”
Tatum has continued his arduous rehabilitation, working out Tuesday in Dallas after the team’s shootaround. The Celtics have not announced any update on Tatum, other than ruling him out for every game so far this season. The Celtics acquired center Nikola Vucevic to boost the frontcourt for a potential playoff run, giving up valuable guard Anfernee Simons. The fact that the Celtics were open to trading the productive Simons could be an indication that Tatum will return this season.
“Obviously, we would love to have him back, like, you know, winning is the most important thing for me,” Brown said. “So being able to add to winning and potentially have another deep playoff run is what I’m aiming for. So, you know, JT’s a big part of that.”
Jaylen Brown is out on Tuesday with knee and hamstring soreness.
Jaylen Brown is out on Tuesday with knee and hamstring soreness.Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
Brown out
Brown also said after the win at Dallas that he was banged up, but would try to play against the Rockets. The Celtics took the decision out of his hands by scratching him with knee and hamstring soreness. Sam Hauser was a surprise entry to the injury report with a right thumb strain. Chris Boucher, believed to be on the trade block or a candidate for waiving, was out with personal reasons while Simons was listed out because the trade with the Bulls is not official. It is expected to be official Thursday afternoon.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said the team has to consult and sometimes made the ultimate call on whether Brown plays because he wants to play in every game.
“It’s that balance,” Mazzulla said. “One you can’t take for granted the fact he wants to play every game and he’s always available and it’s a strength of his, a strength of our team in general. And at the same time you have to trust the sports science team and you have to trust the trainers and there’s a lot of great people besides me who are around him that have a better understanding of that stuff. But there’s also a lot of trust and communication that go into it.”
Former Celtics and current Rockets coach Ime Udoka talked about the growth of his former players, Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
Former Celtics and current Rockets coach Ime Udoka talked about the growth of his former players, Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.Michael Wyke/Associated Press
Udoka talks Celtics
This is the sixth time the Celtics have faced their former coach, Ime Udoka, and his impact on the growth of several players is evident despite his short tenure in Boston. He offered his thoughts on the rise of Brown and Payton Pritchard.
“That’s who [Brown] is, a very competitive guy,” Udoka said. “There’s a healthy competition between him and Jayson, pushing each other. It’s always been there. With that being said, you understand he’s going to have more on his shoulders and he lives for that moment. I’m not surprised. He’s a very capable scorer and we know he can be the No. 1 scorer on any team in the league. With more opportunity and being the focal point, not having to share as much, that’s expected of him.”
Three years ago, Udoka demoted Pritchard for part of the season before he returned to carve a role during the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals. Udoka has known Pritchard since the latter’s high school days in Portland.
“I don’t think he’s in a different place [than in 2022] it’s just opportunity,” Udoka said. “I had three or four one-on-one meetings with him, let him understand who we had just signed and Dennis Schröder was in front of him until the trade happened, and his opportunity would come. He is always who he’s been: confident, aggressive, but also itching to get that opportunity.
“So when Dennis and Josh Richardson got traded. He stepped into the rotation with Derrick White and he’s taken off.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.