As Jayson Tatum continues to recover from the Achilles rupture he suffered in the postseason against the New York Knicks, his progression is apparently going well, according to Jordan Walsh. The Celtics youngster spoke about Tatum’s recovery process during a recent chat with Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk podcast on NBC Sports Boston:
“We’ve seen him so often,” Walsh said. “I’ve seen him from when he messed up his Achilles to now, and it’s a big difference. He’s moving around way better. So, he’s progressing well. I’m definitely happy to see him getting back healthy… To see him in the gym definitely sets a precedent for everybody else,” Walsh added. “If a guy is hurt and trying to get back, then you can do the same thing. Like, you’re perfectly healthy, you should be doing the same thing.”
Hearing how well Tatum is responding to the recovery process is very encouraging.
What does Jayson Tatum’s future look like?
At this point, it seems unlikely that Tatum will be on the court at all next season. Based on some predicted timelines, there’s a small chance he could be available for part of the playoffs, but at that point, it may be too risky.
Having Tatum return for a playoff series in which the Celtics will probably be underdogs could be more risk than it’s worth. At that point, having Tatum rest even longer and prepare for the 2026-27 campaign will likely be the smarter choice.
That said, the future of the Celtics organization still largely rests on Tatum’s shoulders, and how he responds to this injury will, in part, determine what the next decade of the franchise looks like.
If Tatum responds well, and he enters the 2026-27 season fresh and close to the same level at which he has been playing for the past few years, Boston could instantly be a title contender again.
However, if Tatum struggles to find his form, the Celtics may be in a bit of trouble. That’s why it will be crucial for him to take his time and make sure he’s approaching the recovery process as meticulously as possible.
According to Walsh, that’s exactly what’s been happening.
Tatum has been constantly in the gym, working as hard as he can to make it back onto the court as soon as possible. That’s exactly what an organization should want to see from the face of its franchise, and it’s setting the example for the rest of the roster.