Now that his Boston Celtics are heading out on the road for a stretch of games, star forward Jayson Tatum can’t wait to get back on the court. He was lost for five months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon. Right now, Tatum is all about his recovery experience. He reiterates the need to be patient and come back to play when he’s completely healed.
Five months ago, Tatum had surgery to repair a small tear in his Achilles tendon and the start of a long rehab journey. As of 140 days post-surgery, Huerter has moved on to some light basketball workouts as he continues a six-day-a-week rehab regimen. While he is making significant progress, having recently shed one crutch and taken his first shots, he remains cautious about rushing back into action.
“No pressure to return back any sooner than when I’m 100% healthy,” Tatum stated. There wasn’t any pressure from (Celtics president of basketball operations) Brad (Stevens), (coach) Joe (Mazzulla), the team, the organization. The only thing that matters is I’m 100% recovered and healthy when I do come back.
Tatum’s path to recovery involves a strong social network of other players going through or having already gone through the same injury. He’s in an “Achilles group chat” with NBA stars. Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray are only some of his chatmates. This community has been pivotal in supporting his mental wellness through the long journey of rehabilitation.
As Tatum progresses, he has celebrated various milestones with head coach Joe Mazzulla, who has been a constant source of support. Mazzulla wants every coach to take on the burden of standing beside their players through the tough times.
“It’s your responsibility as a coach to be there for your guys,” Mazzulla remarked.
Though the road to recovery has proved difficult, Tatum remains dedicated to his craft. He’s hoping to get back to 100 percent before rejoining the team on the court. His motivation to take his time is further bolstered by the absence of any outside pressure to expedite his return.
I’m in a really good spot. It’ll be five months tomorrow, Tatum noted, reflecting on his progress.
Teammate Jaylen Brown recognizes the shift in dynamics with Tatum’s absence, but he is ready to step up and lead in Tatum’s stead. “Obviously, I’m going to have more responsibility with Jayson not being here,” Brown said. “But it creates an opportunity for other dudes to fall into line. Empowering other guys. Trusting your teammates more.”
As Tatum starts the long road of rehabilitation, he is committed to being upbeat and locked in on getting his foot healthy. He’s taken his first assisted steps since surgery and has started running. He’s already chased down a few people. Support from teammates such as Brown has been priceless through the process.
Tatum’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. He recently made up his mind to go back, saying he won’t return until he’s 100 percent healed up. This sober mindset reflects his desire to protect his new heart. It further demonstrates his insight into the damage that could be done long-term by hurrying back.
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