There aren’t many people who have a better idea of what Jayson Tatum has been going through for the last 9+ months than Kevin Durant. KD infamously suffered an achilles tear during the 2019 NBA Finals before returning at an MVP level, which he has now maintained for several years.
KD has a somewhat similar body and style to Tatum, and certainly was at the same level of stardom. He was older when he suffered the injury, and sat out for much longer, but otherwise, this is about as close to a parallel as you’ll find.
Durant was asked about JT during his press conference for All-Star Media Day, and KD had nothing but positive things to say. In terms of the final steps in a recovery process like this, he said, “Usually around this time you're playing a lot of five-on-five, playing against live bodies, just trying to get your rhythm and tempo back.”
It certainly sounds like that’s about the stage Tatum is at right now, which would indicate he’s extremely close. In a follow-up, KD was asked if there is a final hurdle to clear, and basically said that’s where JT is right now.
“I wouldn't say it's a final hurdle. It's just, like I said, playing five-on-five, getting up and down the floor, getting your conditioning right, and doing that consistently in the last phase is key to you stepping into the game, having an easier transition once you step into a game.
I'm sure he's out there playing every day one-on-ones, two-on-twos, five-on-fives, trying to get his rhythm.”
Durant expects Tatum to return looking like his usual self
KD may not exactly have inside info when it comes to Tatum, specifically. But he knows the process well, and from what he’s saying, it sounds like Jayson is incredibly close to returning and making his season debut.
Durant didn’t go as far as to proclaim that Tatum will return this season or not, but it’s hard not to hear him describe the ramp-up process and see that JT has reached the point that KD was describing. He almost spoke about him coming back this season like a foregone conclusion, ending one answer by saying, “I'm looking forward to seeing him get out there with his team.”
And perhaps most promising of all, KD has no concern about Tatum coming back like a shell of his former self. When asked what he expects to see from JT if he does play again for Boston this season, Durant didn’t hesitate at all: “I expect to see All-Star level play and the same Jayson Tatum we've seen before he was injured.”