jayson tatumTook a big step forward Monday in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in May boston celtics Assigning him to practice with their G League affiliate.
In a statement, the Celtics said Tatum would participate in portions of practice with teammates at Boston’s Auerbach Center. hugo gonzalez And amari williamsWho was also assigned to the Main G League team.
Following the season, Tatum would be recalled by the Celtics and will continue his rehabilitation.
The team did not provide any additional details on a potential timetable for Tatum’s return.
Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against new York Knicks Last May. The Celtics have flourished despite his absence, going 34–19, good for third place in the East after the All-Stars jaylen brown.
When asked last week about returning, Tatum wondered aloud whether he might ruin the team’s chemistry if he did.
“It’s something I reflect on every day,” he said on “The Pivot” podcast. “They must have played over 50 odd games without me. So this year they have an identity, or things they’ve felt have clicked for them, and it’s been successful.
“So I have a thought in my mind, like: ‘How does this work? What does it look like to integrate yourself from the injury.’ And it’s a thought, like, ‘Hey, should I come back, or should I wait?'”
But Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens took over the team ahead of the trade deadline. Nikola VucevicAssured Tatum that the team is better with him.
“Obviously, any team with Jayson Tatum is going to be better,” Stevens said Friday. “If he needs it, I’ll tell him every day. Because having him on the team will make every team – all 30 of us – much better.”
