The Boston Celtics are entering an extremely important offseason after getting bounced out of the 2025 NBA Playoffs in the second round by the New York Knicks. Making things more difficult for the front office is that they will have to account for being without superstar forward Jayson Tatum for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign.
Tatum’s season came to a premature end after he suffered a ruptured Achilles in the team’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks. While Boston fought hard to extend the series and win Game 5, they ultimately got eliminated by New York in Game 6.
Now, Tatum faces a lengthy rehab from one of the worst injuries a basketball player can suffer. He did note, however, that the days are beginning to get easier for him as he continues to work his way back to full health.
There’s no doubt this is a trying time for Tatum, which is why it’s important for his teammates to support him during his rehab. That’s precisely what veteran role player Torrey Craig is doing, as he posted a video of himself at the team’s facility checking in on Tatum.
Torrey Craig is back in Boston at the Celtics' practice facility checking in on Jayson Tatum. I've seen enough…bring him back next season. ð¤ ☘️ pic.twitter.com/73qLubkV1s— CELTICS ☘️ BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) June 9, 2025
Craig latched on with the Celtics in February after he got waived by the Chicago Bulls. He ended up playing sparingly for Boston down the stretch, as he took the court just 17 times, averaging 2.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists over 11.8 minutes per game.
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A veteran 3-and-D wing, Craig wasn’t able to carve out a big role in Boston’s rotation, but he clearly had a big impact on the team’s locker room, as evidenced by him going out of his way to pop in and check up on Tatum.
Craig only signed a one-year deal with the C’s, meaning he is set to hit free agency. Boston’s front office certainly has bigger fish to fry, but having veterans who are good locker room guys is always viewed as a positive on championship-contending teams.
Whether or not Craig factors into the Celtics’ future plans remains to be seen. Regardless of where he ends up, though, it would be great to see him continue supporting Tatum during his grueling Achilles rehab.
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