Former Celtic's Star Doesn't Think Jayson Tatum Should Return This Season

The Boston Celtics should be excited. Instead of quitting on the season before it began (like many expected them to do), they’ve proven that Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear couldn’t stop them from still competing in the East. As of Friday, they are 35–⁠19 and the 2nd seed in the East. 

And now, the rumors are saying that Tatum is ahead of schedule and could be returning to the team as soon as after the All-Star break. 

Isaiah Thomas, a former Boston Celtics star who himself once returned from a serious injury early, warned Tatum of not rushing back. 

"Personally, I don't feel like he should come back, like being a guy that's been injured before this, that they that got injured playing your best basketball ever, and then coming back and being expected to be that same person right away. It's like you're in a lose-lose situation. And to be on a really good team, like all of this has happened to me, so I'm talking from experience. I don't think there's a rush for him to come back. Like, you come back and say you play okay, and you guys don't win. Who are they blaming? They're blaming you. That's just unnecessary pressure put on yourself. And then it's an Achilles tear. So, it's like, let's not rush this back. Yes, they've done probably the right steps. And yes, he's probably getting healthy, and he feels like he's good enough to play for sure. And I've been that age, too, and being young. Like, just that your pride and your ego and you feeling like you're missing out on things."

All reports indicate that Tatum is nearly 100% and has actually been taking his time rehabbing the injury. Tatum is too important to the Celtics’ organization to rush back before he is fully ready. 

The reality is that because the Celtics actually are playing well, they'll rely less on Tatum than they usually have to. This way, Tatum can slowly build himself back without having the spotlight on him to perform at an All-NBA level.