Boston Celtics
Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics earlier in February.
The Celtics added some gas to the hypothesis that Jayson Tatum’s return from his Achilles tear is imminent on Saturday.
In a submit made to the Celtics’ Instagram account, the workforce shared a photograph scroll of 10 footage of Tatum not too long ago getting a exercise in with the workforce. Whereas the vast majority of the pictures have been solo photographs of Tatum, one of many footage confirmed the Celtics’ star getting defended by large man Luka Garza.
That picture would appear to be the primary indication that Tatum is at the least working towards along with his Celtics teammates once more. If that’s the case, Tatum’s return may very well be imminent as scrimmaging with teammates is usually one of many closing steps a participant goes via earlier than coming back from a long-term damage.
Whereas the Celtics posted the photoscroll on Saturday, the pictures of Tatum appeared to have come from their exercise on Wednesday. The workforce labored out on the College of San Francisco’s basketball amenities on Wednesday previous to dealing with the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
“Celtics posted 10 pics from this Wednesday exercise day in SF on Instagram, and none had Tatum even within the background,” Boston Globe Celtics beat reporter Adam Himmelsbach noted in a social media post. “Feels notable {that a} Tatum follow collage from that day comes out days later.”
Tatum had begun participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches earlier in February. He additionally practiced with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, on Feb. 10.
Tatum advised reporters that his follow with the Maine Celtics shouldn’t be taken as an indication of whether or not he’s returning this season or not, including that “it was the subsequent step.” He told ESPN throughout All-Star Weekend that he’s in a “great spot” along with his rehab, although.
“It’s been powerful. It’s been a curler coaster,” Tatum added in his feedback to ESPN. “There’s been totally different phases of doubt, disappointment, occasions the place I didn’t assume I used to be going to come back again and play. I can actually say proper now that I’m pleased with myself that I’ve made it this far, that I’ve caught with it each single day.”
There have been different developments which have led to increased speculation that Tatum would possibly return within the subsequent couple of weeks, too. Tatum and NBC launched a teaser trailer for an upcoming documentary collection that may element his highway to returning to the court docket. The NBA and NBC additionally not too long ago determined to flex the Celtics’ dwelling matchup towards the 76ers on March 1 onto “Sunday Evening Basketball,” with some questioning if that might be Tatum’s return sport.
Previous to the season, Tatum had mentioned that he want to make his return in entrance of a house crowd. When the Celtics’ present West Coast journey involves an finish on Wednesday, they’ll play 4 of their subsequent 5 video games at dwelling. Ten of their 15 video games from Feb. 27 via March 27 will even happen at TD Backyard.
Nonetheless, the Celtics haven’t introduced if Tatum will return this season. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has mentioned on a number of events that Tatum gained’t return till he’s 110 p.c prepared. The workforce additionally by no means gave a proper timetable for Tatum’s potential return.
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