Shams' latest Jayson Tatum update could be a game-changer for the Celtics

On Super Bowl Sunday, shortly before the Boston Celtics were set to take the court against the New York Knicks, ESPN's Shams Charania shed light on a significant step forward in Jayson Tatum's recovery.

"Sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled 5-5 scrimmaging with coaches," shared Charania. "He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. And listen, there's more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There's more phases in his rehab; he's gotta practice with the team, of course. And then, again, there's also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude, a torn Achilles, in May, to a really good team that has aspirations for potentially advancing in the playoffs."

To that point, the six-time All-Star, in a moment of vulnerability, opened up about constantly considering the possibility that his return disrupts what the Celtics are accomplishing this season.

"If or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50-some odd games without me," expressed Tatum during an appearance on "The Pivot Podcast."

"They have things that have clicked and have been successful. So, there's a thought in my head like how does that look when I come back? Damn, do I come back or should I wait? I contemplate it every single day."

Boston entered Sunday's tilt against New York in second in the Eastern Conference standings. Many of his team members are thriving with increased responsibility.

Still, as Joe Mazzulla has noted, if Tatum's physically and mentally ready to return during the current campaign, while disruptive, he would be doing so in a positive manner.

And his teammates would welcome him back with open arms.

"If he is going to return, we're welcoming him with open arms, for sure," said Sam Hauser after a 117-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. "I mean, he's such a great player. And anytime that you could have the luxury of adding a player like that into your rotation, it's pretty exciting. So, whatever his timetable is, it's kind of up to him, and you know, we're trying to focus on every day and then try to win as many games before he does come back, if he ends up coming back. So, if that's the case, we can't wait."

The Jayson Tatum standard

It was encouraging to see how the five-time All-NBA selection performed during an extensive on-court workout after the Celtics' shootaround in Detroit in late January. However, that also made it clear he still has some significant progress to make, even if one is evaluating this exclusively from a physical perspective.

Furthermore, as Charania reported, when Tatum returns, whether it's this season or next, he wants to do so as close to his pre-injury form as possible.

"Jayson Tatum has made clear to people around him, from my understanding, that he wants to come back as close to Jayson Tatum, as Jayson Tatum, as possible," stated Charania. "Not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself, and the other side of all that is the Celtics' medical staff will have to clear him 100 percent before he can return, and he himself will have to feel 100 percent confidence and trust in that leg before he makes a potential return this season."

That he's participating in controlled 5-5 scrimmaging with coaches is an encouraging step in his rehab. Perhaps doing so with and against his teammates isn't far off. If that's the case, his return to the Celtics' lineup might not be either.