While speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania gave an update on Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Charania said that Tatum has informed the Celtics that he plans to play this season after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in last season’s playoffs.
“The Celtics haven’t ruled out Jayson Tatum for the season and they’re cautiously optimistic,” Charania said about Boston’s superstar. “He has a goal in mind that he wants to play this season, and we’ll see if he gets there.”
Charania later added that the timing of Tatum being cleared to play, along with Boston’s place in the standings, will likely inform the decision for his return.
Tatum has been documented his recovery regularly on social media. He’s return to on-court work and recently posted a video of himself dunking off two feet from a standstill position under the rim.
It’s been suggested that since the Celtics star forward had surgery the day after the tear, combined with the type of repair he was able to have, that Tatum could see an earlier return than is usual. Boston hasn’t put any timetable on when Tatum would play. Both the player and the team have emphasized that Tatum will not play until he’s 100% cleared to do so.