Celtics’ Tatum re-evaluating potential return this season from Achilles tear
After all, reinforcements may not come to the Boston Celtics.
Jayson Tatum is unsure if he will return this season after the torn Achilles he suffered in May.
The high-scoring forward told ESPN on Wednesday night that he “wants to get it right the first time, so it’s just a lot to think about.”
The comment followed an NBA TV report that Tatum was reevaluating his situation, describing the likelihood of a return to play this season as “up in the air.”
This development comes as the Celtics are engaged in a ranking fight with the Knicks in the great Eastern Conference.
Tatum, a six-time All-Star, was widely expected to join the Celtics in time for a playoff push.
Tatum, 27, performed a full workout in front of reporters last week in Detroit.
But a few days later, Tatum gave some insight into his process, acknowledging on “The Pivot Podcast” that the surprising Celtics have formed an identity without him.
“There’s a thought in my head: ‘How does this work?’ Or, “What does it look like if I fit in after an injury and 50, 60 games into a season? » Tatum said in an episode released Tuesday.
“Obviously, [there] could be some challenges. It’s a thought like, “Damn, am I coming back?” Or should I wait? It’s something that, honestly, recently, over the last couple of weeks or so, I’ve kind of contemplated every day.
Tatum suffered a non-contact injury against the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 12 and had surgery the next day.
The Knicks won this playoff series in six games.
Following Tatum’s injury and due to salary cap constraints, the Celtics traded point guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, while center Al Horford left in free agency.
But behind a core of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, Boston has exceeded expectations this season. At 29-18, the Celtics are tied with the Knicks for the second-best record in the East.
