LOS ANGELES — Jayson Tatum appeared on the ground moments earlier than Celtics apply on Saturday and addressed images displaying him seemingly participating in workforce actions in San Francisco. He clarified that he didn’t participate in a apply, and relatively participated in an elective exercise with a number of Celtics teammates, together with Luka Garza.
Joe Mazzulla wouldn’t say whether or not Tatum, who added that he hasn’t practiced since his Maine session, would apply with the workforce on Saturday as he continues to progress in his on-court work and general restoration course of.
“He’s simply persevering with to get higher,” Mazzulla stated. “Engaged on his reads after which persevering with to hit his checkmarks within the weight room after which within the therapy room as properly. The primary objective is simply ensuring he will get 100% wholesome and continues to get higher and higher.”
“It’s simply trusting the group that we now have round him,” he continued. “And taking it step-by-step. So, simply ensuring we follow that as a lot as we will. He got here out of the Maine apply fairly properly, and so we’ll proceed to see it from there. It simply relies upon as he continues to hit these verify marks, no matter they might be.”
The newest feedback from Tatum and Mazzulla keep the secrecy the Celtics and Tatum’s workforce have operated with via the ultimate phases of his Achilles restoration. A number of experiences indicated over the previous week that Tatum’s nonetheless unsure whether or not he’ll return or not this 12 months, and regardless of hypothesis round an NBC-flexed Celtics begin time on March 1 in opposition to the Sixers, he stated that he doesn’t have a return date in thoughts for the time being.
Mazzulla stated the Celtics hadn’t practiced since Tatum’s Maine Celtics session, which went properly. Boston doesn’t have a plan for him to hitch their precise apply exercise apart from persevering with alongside his regular development. That may seemingly point out that there’s no imminent return anticipated for the Celtics star within the close to future.
“Work out, see the way you get better the subsequent day and you then simply make a plan from there,” Tatum stated. “It was a bit five-on-five (on Wednesday). It’s powerful to enter element on each single factor I’m doing day by day, however I’ll say I’m simply getting acclimated extra and doing little issues with a number of the guys on the market, nevertheless it’s all a part of rehab and simply going with the plan.”
Tatum added that he feels higher than he did yesterday, and that’s all he’s centered on for the time being relatively than a particular return date. He harassed that it’s vital that he put himself in place to have a return be a dialog, and continued stressing he gained’t play till he’s 100% and he wouldn’t point out what p.c he’s presently at.
The Celtics arrived at Santa Barbara Prep for apply alongside Tatum, who took some gentle pictures on the courtroom earlier than the session started. He sported a team-issued shirt and sweatpants, placed on his sneakers and spoke to the media earlier than the apply closed as soon as it started.
“I really feel like I’m beating a useless horse,” Tatum stated. “I’m taking it at some point at a time. That is one thing that’s very severe. The harm that I had is only a lengthy journey. For me, it’s simply simpler to take it at some point at a time and see how I progress from there.”
