Report: Jayson Tatum beginning controlled 5-on-5 work

Shams Charania reported earlier than Celtics-Knicks on Sunday that Jayson Tatum started taking part in managed 5-on-5 scrimmages as he continues to aim a return this season. It marks the primary public word of a development from the seen 1-on-1, capturing and mobility work at practices and shootarounds in latest months.

It additionally marks a development following Tatum’s Pivot Podcast feedback and Chris Haynes’ report that adopted, which indicated that Tatum was re-evaluating whether or not he would return this season. Charania added that Tatum solely desires to return when he’s as near himself as attainable, and never a shell of himself and his standard affect.

He additionally echoed Brad Stevens’ feedback on Friday that Tatum continues to test packing containers in his comeback try. Earlier this season, Stevens mentioned Tatum wants to fulfill a energy threshold, adopted by a number of weeks of progressions by scripted small group exercises, bigger teams, then 5-on-5 earlier than unscripted and random scrimmages. Stevens added on Friday that Tatum has a methods to go in his comeback.

The Celtics have 30 video games left, two earlier than the all-star break, when Tatum will attain the 9 month mark in his restoration. Gamers usually return from Achilles tears between 9-12 months following surgical procedure, and generally extra. Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and teammates together with Jaylen Brown inspired Tatum’s return and the way it could assist the crew whereas additionally urging him to deal with his physique and thoughts till he’s totally prepared. The Celtics haven’t positioned a timeline on his return, and Stevens maintained there’s no stress on him to play this 12 months.

Boston begins the second half with a 4 recreation west coast highway journey on Feb. 19.

“When it’s proper, then we’ll all sit down and speak about it, however there’s nonetheless no pressure from us, no stress from us,” Stevens mentioned. “However there’s additionally not going to be any of us saying, effectively, why don’t you’re taking one other week? When he’s prepared, he’s prepared.”