BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Jayson Tatum is back playing one-on-one, fueling speculation that the Boston Celtics star could be playing five-on-five in a real NBA game sooner than later.
Tatum on Wednesday dropped video on Instagram of him playing one-on-one, and he looked pretty good doing so.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was asked by reporters about his timetable. The Celtics are currently the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and if Tatum were to return this season, they could challenge for another NBA Finals berth.
“It’s all up to him,” he said. “…It all starts about where him and his team think he’s at. To me, the only thing I care about is his presence, his leadership.”
Celtics super-fan Bill Simmons recently suggested Tatum could come back this season.
“From everything I’ve heard across the board, he’s been relentless and a maniac,” Simmons said. “[He’s] passed every checkpoint and has done everything possible to come back as soon as possible at 100 percent. Not 94 percent. They’re understandably being careful, but at some point, it’s like if he’s ready to play, let’s play him. What are we waiting for?
“I feel more confident than ever with the way that this team is responding that he’ll be back.”
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard also weighed in on what it would mean when Tatum does return.
“We know how to play with him … it will be an easy transition,” he told reporters. “But right now we’re just focused on the guys that are playing right now and putting ourselves in the best position possible.”
Tatum, 27, ruptured his right Achilles during Game 4 of the Celtics’ playoff series with the Knicks last May and then underwent surgery.
Tatum is a six-time All-Star who won the 2024 NBA championship with the Celtics.