Jayson Tatum hasn't taken his comeback from an ACL tear as gradually as some onlookers anticipated.
Tatum is averaging 29.8 minutes in eight games, logging 31 minutes in each of his last three contests. The 28-year-old has instantly assumed a meaty role for the Boston Celtics, averaging 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.
Jeremy Lin marveled over Tatum's return on ESPN's "NBA Today." The former NBA guard, who suffered a ruptured patellar tendon to start the 2017-18 season, noted that the six-time All-Star isn't playing afraid or overly cautious.
"He's playing 30 minutes a night, which I wasn't expecting," Lin said on Wednesday. "But he's shooting more shots per minute of his whole career. He's averaging a career high in rebounds in six or seven minutes less than he normally plays. So I think the mentality he has of just attacking and being himself, versus being gun-shy and trying to ease in, I think that's the biggest difference that I see."
Lin believes others can learn something from how Tatum has handled his return.
"Honestly, I think we should study how he's been recovering from this injury and his mindset of coming back," Lin added.
Tatum still isn't playing to his All-NBA standards just yet. His 38.8 field-goal percentage and 29.3 three-point percentage both represent career lows for the nine-year veteran.
While he's still recovering his shooting form, Tatum isn't hiding on the court. His 30.2 percent usage rate is just one percent below last season and matches his 2023-24 clip.
Since returning on March 6, Tatum has played in all of Boston's games except for a March 12 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He'll suit up when the Celtics face the defending champions again on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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