Boston Celtics
Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics earlier in February.
The Celtics added some fuel to the speculation that Jayson Tatum’s return from his Achilles tear is imminent on Saturday.
In a post made to the Celtics’ Instagram account, the team shared a photo scroll of 10 pictures of Tatum recently getting a workout in with the team. While the majority of the images were solo shots of Tatum, one of the pictures showed the Celtics’ star getting defended by big man Luka Garza.
That image would seem to be the first indication that Tatum is at least practicing with his Celtics teammates again. If that’s the case, Tatum’s return could be imminent as scrimmaging with teammates is typically one of the final steps a player goes through before returning from a long-term injury.
While the Celtics posted the photoscroll on Saturday, the images of Tatum appeared to have come from their workout on Wednesday. The team worked out at the University of San Francisco’s basketball facilities on Wednesday prior to facing the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
“Celtics posted 10 pics from this Wednesday workout day in SF on Instagram, and none had Tatum even in the background,” Boston Globe Celtics beat reporter Adam Himmelsbach noted in a social media post. “Feels notable that a Tatum practice collage from that day comes out days later.”
Tatum had begun taking part in 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches earlier in February. He also practiced with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, on Feb. 10.
Tatum told reporters that his practice with the Maine Celtics shouldn’t be taken as a sign of whether he’s returning this season or not, adding that “it was the next step.” He told ESPN during All-Star Weekend that he’s in a “good spot” with his rehab, though.
“It’s been tough. It’s been a roller coaster,” Tatum added in his comments to ESPN. “There’s been different phases of doubt, sadness, times where I didn’t think I was going to come back and play. I can honestly say right now that I’m proud of myself that I’ve made it this far, that I’ve stuck with it every single day.”
There have been other developments that have led to increased speculation that Tatum might return in the next couple of weeks, too. Tatum and NBC released a teaser trailer for an upcoming documentary series that will detail his road to returning to the court. The NBA and NBC also recently decided to flex the Celtics’ home matchup against the 76ers on March 1 onto “Sunday Night Basketball,” with some wondering if that will be Tatum’s return game.
Prior to the season, Tatum had said that he would like to make his return in front of a home crowd. When the Celtics’ current West Coast trip comes to an end on Wednesday, they’ll play four of their next five games at home. Ten of their 15 games from Feb. 27 through March 27 will also take place at TD Garden.
Still, the Celtics haven’t announced if Tatum will return this season. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has said on multiple occasions that Tatum won’t return until he’s 110 percent ready. The team also never gave a formal timetable for Tatum’s potential return.
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