Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
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Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
On Monday, Feb. 9, Jayson Tatum took a major step forward in his recovery from an Achilles injury. The Boston Celtics forward joined the Maine Celtics (and some end-of-bench players) for his first practice session since his injury.
In a recent conversation with CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning, Ron Harper Jr. shed some light on what that practice session looked like.
“We were able to get some stuff in, a lot of good work,” Harper Jr. told Manning “I feel like it was a good day and everybody felt good about it … he’s a fantastic player, so just him being out there, the presence that he brings to the court is amazing. Like I said, the way he pushes himself, the way he’s relentless with his work, you can tell he really wants it. That’s a guy that’s been on the sideline the whole year, just being able to watch that, being able to watch that dedication, it’s inspiring for the whole locker room.”
Harper Jr. then revealed the pace of that practice, noting that everyone was playing at a high tempo.
“I tried to guard him. If I’m able to go out there and get half a stop, it’s a success,” he said. “So just being able to be there, being able to be part of the group that pushes him was great … we’re just pushing the pace, running fast and just trying to get up-and-down as fast as we can. I feel like we did a good job of that.”
Unfortunately for Celtics fans, Harper Jr. stopped short of giving any insight into how Tatum handled the tempo, physicality and likely competitive nature of that practice.
Tatum Remains Unsure Of In-Season Return
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, speaking via a Feb. 17 episode of “NBA Today,” it’s not guaranteed that Tatum will return this season. Shelburne noted that Tatum had told her he’s still undecided.
“I know everybody has seen that game got flexed to that spot on NBC on prime time. There’s a documentary that an NBC affiliate has been doing,” Shelburne said. “There are connecting dots. But, I checked in with Jayson Tatum, and he said, ‘I’ve still not made a decision on whether or not I’m coming back this year.’”
In recent weeks, Tatum has been consistent in his messaging that he’s unsure if he will return this season.
Celtics’ Tatum Told “The Pivot” He Was Unsure
During a recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, Tatum broached the subject of not returning 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’ve played 50-some-odd games without me. So they have an identity this year or things that they felt have clicked for them. And it’s been successful, right? Third or second team in the East up to this point. So there is a thought in my head that’s like, how does that work or how does that look with me integrating myself off an injury and 50-60 games into a season?”
Tatum continued.
“There could obviously be some challenges and it is a thought, like damn? Do I come back or should I wait? It’s something that I honestly, recently in the last two weeks or so, just kind of contemplate every single day.”
There’s no set timeline for a return from an Achilles injury. Tyrese Haliburton suffered a similar Achilles injury shortly after Tatum and has been ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season.
However, if Tatum is going to return this season, it should be soon. Otherwise, he won’t have enough ramp-up time to make a sizeable impact during the playoffs.