The Boston Celtics are navigating a critical period as star forward Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the second round of this spring’s playoffs. As Tatum pursues a return to the court, the team’s dynamics are shifting, with experts warning that his comeback may not be straightforward.

Brian Scalabrine Highlights Difficulty of Tatum’s Return

Former Celtics champion Brian Scalabrine spoke on the challenges Tatum will likely encounter upon his return during a recent episode of the Celtics Talk podcast. Emphasizing the physical demands of the NBA season, he noted that jumping directly into intense playoff-level competition is far from ideal for someone recovering from a major injury.

There’s a reason (the NBA season) is 82 games,

Scalabrine told co-host Drew Carter.

Just watch a playoff game and watch a preseason game: There’s so many levels in between. Getting thrown back into the middle of a race where you’re trying to get out of the play-in (tournament) and you’re playing these meaningful, high-level games, that is not ideal — not (just) for your Achilles, but for your body. There needs to be some build-up.

—Brian Scalabrine, former Boston Celtics forward

Jayson Tatum’s Performance Before Injury

Before his injury, Tatum was a dominant force for the Celtics. In 72 healthy regular season games last year, the 27-year-old averaged 26.8 points per game, shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.3% from three-point range, and 81.4% from the free-throw line. Alongside scoring, he contributed 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks each contest.

His playoff statistics during eight healthy postseason games further highlighted his impact, with averages of 28.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, shooting well from both inside and beyond the arc.

Implications and Next Steps for the Celtics

As the Celtics work to integrate Tatum back into their lineup, the process requires careful management to avoid risking further injury. The length and intensity of the NBA schedule mean that Tatum will need gradual conditioning to return to peak performance. His comeback timeline will be a key factor in Boston’s strategy moving forward, particularly as the team aims to remain competitive in a challenging Eastern Conference.

Fans and analysts will closely monitor Tatum’s rehabilitation progress, knowing that his presence is vital to the Celtics’ success. The cautious approach advised by Scalabrine reflects a broader understanding in professional basketball about the complexities of recovering from an Achilles injury.