In an appearance on NBA Today on ESPN on Wednesday, Shams Charania spoke with host Malika Andrews to provide an update on Jayson Tatum's rehab.
"What I can tell you, though, is Jayson Tatum has been a full-go in five-on-five scrimmages with the Celtics," conveyed Charania. "And right now, it's about him continuing to put in the time [and] continuing to get his conditioning up. And that comes through a number of practices and scrimmages, and there are two elements right now at play: One is increasing the strength in both of his calves off of that Achilles tendon injury, and the big hurdle of all of this is getting 100 percent there on the mental side, getting the confidence in his leg fully when he's back."
That mental hurdle can often prove the most difficult one to clear when returning from a significant injury. When asked on Feb. 10 where he's at in the process of trusting his Achilles as he ramps up his basketball activities, the St. Louis, Missouri, native relayed the following.
"I always say I always feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday," responded Tatum. "So, whether it's physical, conditioning, trusting it, and every day I get a little bit better."
Upon checking in with people around the soon-to-be 28-year-old wing, the message reinforced to Charania was that the Celtics' star will not return until he feels like himself again and he can perform at his desired standard.
"The common theme that I've gotten from people around Jayson Tatum is, 'He will be back on the floor when JT feels like JT,' quote, unquote," said Charania. "And that process, they, the Celtics, have continued to let him lead that. He's in the driver's seat. They will take Jayson Tatum's lead, as far as when he feels like he's ready and cleared.
"And then eventually, Malika, a dozen people here, doctors, Celtics officials, Jayson Tatum's side, him, Jayson Tatum himself, they're gonna gather in a room and get him to the point where he wants to be, which is in March, and as we get closer and closer to the playoffs, make a decision about whether he's able to make it back out on the floor."
Charania's update echoes Jayson Tatum's message
Speaking with the media before a Saturday practice at Saint Monica Prep, a day before watching his team earn a 111-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Tatum offered an update of his own on his road to recovery.
What he shared is that he participated in some five-on-five work with some of his teammates, like Luka Garza and Jordan Walsh, the day of Boston's 121-110 victory vs. the Golden State Warriors.
While his progress is encouraging, it's important to remember that the six-time All-Star has repeatedly stressed that he is taking this process one day at a time. A return date is yet to be determined, and nothing is set in stone.
"I feel like I'm beating a dead horse; I'm just taking it one day at a time," voiced Tatum at that Saturday media availability. "It was something that was very serious, the injury that I had. It's a long journey. For me, it's just a lot easier to take it one day at a time."
And while the five-time All-NBA selection may or may not return this season, "I think it's just important that I've worked this hard to just kind of get myself in a position where it could be a conversation," expressed Tatum, who's balancing a relentless approach to his rehab with a patient mindset.
If his body and mind signal to him, those involved in this process on the medical side, and the Celtics' organization, that Tatum is ready to return and help his team's title pursuit this year, then he will do so. However, whether that happens remains unknown. All he can do is continue to put himself in the best position possible by maximizing the 24 hours in front of him.