NBA fans shouldn't circle their calendars for a potential Jayson Tatum return just yet.
Tatum has made commendable progress in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles suffered during the playoffs last May. The Boston Celtics forward scrimmaged with the G League Maine Celtics on Monday, and online detectives have speculated on a potential return date.
On Monday, Tatum posted a 90-second trailer to The Quiet Work. NBC will air the five-part documentary series in between its East and West Coast games on Sunday nights, and the NBA recently moved a Celtics game against the Philadelphia 76ers to a primetime slot on March 1.
However, Ramona Shelbourne warned everyone to temper their excitement. The ESPN reporter said on Tuesday's NBA Today that Tatum told her he still hasn't decided whether he will play this season.
Tatum remains undecided about return
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the third quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Shelburne explained why Tatum wouldn't want to reveal a specific plan, regardless of whether he's hoping to play again this season.
"I think he is being truthful in saying that, but I also think he understands what he said before," Shelburne said. "He wants to get this right the first time."
Shelburne added that the Celtics also don't want to rush him back despite surprisingly possessing the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed without the six-time All-Star. Despite Tatum's encouraging progress, he still has a lot more hurdles to clear before returning.
"Nobody wants to put any pressure on Jayson Tatum to put a date on this, to put a time on this," Shelburne added. "I talked to somebody very close to the situation (who said), 'Yeah, that scrimmage that he's done, he's only scrimmaged one time. He's got to do a bunch more things before everybody gets comfortable with the idea of him going out there and playing."
Tatum's return would be a massive boost for the Celtics, who are 35-19 behind an MVP-caliber campaign from Jaylen Brown. A healthy Tatum can bring Boston into the postseason as playoff contenders in what most observers assumed would be a transition year.
While he hasn't announced any return plans, Tatum reflected on his recovery in a social media post 40 weeks after his Achilles injury.
"I've really grown to appreciate this journey I've been on and allow time for me to pat myself on the back for showing up every day!"
Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved