Jayson Tatum took another step in a positive direction when it comes to his recovery from a torn Achilles.
The 27-year-old star spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since Media Day, but not before practicing with the G League Maine Celtics Monday at the Red Auerbach Center.
Despite giving an update on his rehab, Tatum didn't really offer any sort of timeline or commitments to making a return at some point during the 2025-26 season.
"I'm feeling good," Tatum told reporters Tuesday. "It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G League guys. Today is 39 weeks, so it's been a long journey. And it's just like the progression of rehab. It was the next step. It doesn't mean that I'm coming back or I'm not. It's just following the plan. So it's just another step."
Tatum, who sustained the injury on May 12th of last year, did not rule out a possible return this season when he last spoke to the media back in October. While it's been nine months since his surgery, speculation that Tatum was amping up a return to the parquet sooner rather than later has shifted over the last several weeks.
From a workout session in front of the media in Detroit last month to making an appearance on "The Pivot Podcast" a few weeks later where he expressed some hesitation on possibly re-joining the Celtics this season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Tatum's return this year was still "up in the air" and ESPN later confirmed that the star had not yet made a decision.
"That's something I contemplate every day," Tatum said of potentially joining the Celtics for the stretch run. "More so about the team. If or when I do come back this season, they will have played 50 some-odd games without me, so they have an identity this year or things that they've felt have clicked for them. And it's been successful.
"So there is a thought in my head, like, how does that work? Or how does that look with me integrating myself off the injury … 50, 60 games into a season? There obviously could be some challenges," Tatum added. "And it is a thought: Do I come back? Should I wait? It's something that I honestly, recently, in the last two weeks or so just kind of contemplate every single day."
Meanwhile, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said nearly two weeks ago that Tatum has "zero setback" in his recovery he and team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens -- who spoke to the media the day following the trade deadline -- both made it clear that if the star wing is cleared and wants to play, they will not hold him back.
"When it's right, then we'll all sit down and talk about it," Stevens said in last Friday's presser. "There's still no force from us. There's no pressure from us. But there's also not gonna be any of us saying, 'Well, why doesn't he just take another week?' When he's ready, he's ready."
On Tuesday, Tatum answered questions with reporters about how his Achilles has been feeling with the practices, workouts and what's next to come in the recovery process.
"I feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday -- the physical, conditioning, trusting it, every day I feel a little bit better." Tatum explained.
"More conditioning, more live things. Getting acclimated to playing 5-on-5 and contact," Tatum added on what's the next step.
Tatum was asked about how it felt to be on the sidelines, as he's been at pretty much every game whether it's at home or travel with the team on the road.
"It's been tough not being able to play and compete. You know how much I love this game. I love being out there. But I've also grown an appreciation for the game, for my teammates, and just guys around the league, sitting back and being able to watch guys take their next step, it's been kind of cool to see," Tatum said. "I sit next to the coaches, hear their commentary, see it through the lens of the coach."
Of course, the subject of any doubts on a potential return this season was brought up and Tatum was asked to clarify, with the Celtics forward noting that he has had plenty of time to figure out the best path to get back onto the court.
"Over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hands," Tatum said. "You think about a lot of things, and you're just hyper-aware of what's going on. And I think it would just stem from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team, but I'm also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well."And not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment, and talking from that perspective."
Tatum was then asked about the reports that he may not come back this season and instead wait until the start of the 2026-27 campaign, to which he simply stated he hasn't made that decision one way or another.
"Still trying to figure it out," Tatum said. "Still just going through the progressions of rehab. Not saying that I'm coming back or not. It's all about being 100% healthy and going through the plan."
At 34-19, the Celtics have the second best record in the East and Tatum was asked his thoughts on how they stack up against the rest of the top teams in the conference.
"We've been one of the best teams all season. And we'll continue being one of the best teams," Tatum added.
While Tatum didn't give an indication of any type that he'd return or sit out the entire 2025-26 campaign during his nearly 10-minute media session Tuesday, there is a clear understanding that if there were a 'hypothetical schedule,' he's definitely ahead of it. But in any case, the decision still remains up to Tatum if he'll play at all this season or wait until the start of 2026-27.
Joel Pavón
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