When NBC flexed Sunday's rivalry clash between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers into a prime-time national TV window, it raised eyebrows. Immediately, that became the perceived leader in the clubhouse for when Jayson Tatum would make his return.
When NBC announced during this month's All-Star Game that it would air a docuseries called "The Quiet Work," following Tatum on his road to recovery, it only added fuel to the fire. Over the course of five installments, this series, which has already started, is shown on Sunday nights on NBC.
However, when the Celtics released their injury report on Saturday, they announced that Jayson Tatum will not play in Sunday's matchup against the Sixers. They cannot reverse course after ruling him out. He might return this season, but it will not happen against Philadelphia, who they are about to face for the final time unless they square off in the playoffs.
What many overlooked about Jayson Tatum potentially returning Sunday
Based on the information provided, including speaking with the six-time All-Star in Santa Monica, California, a day before Boston beat the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, the idea of him returning on Mar. 1 seemed rushed.
For a player who just recently started participating in five-on-five, he'll need more time to get ready to return to game action. The last thing the Celtics would do is expedite this process. Tatum is relentlessly attacking his rehab. However, he doesn't want to return to any level below his standard. Of course, he wants to do what's best for his future. He's not about to skip steps or force his way into the lineup prematurely, either.
As he has repeatedly reiterated, there is no date set in stone for the next time he will take the floor in uniform.
"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," voiced Tatum during that Saturday conversation at Saint Monica Prep.
That's also what has amazed former teammates like Al Horford and Marcus Smart.
"His mental strength is really showing there, because his ability to be at this point already, that he's practicing and everybody's talking about that he's possibly going to play -- and even if he doesn't play, just the fact that how much progress he has made and the way that he has come is very impressive," expressed Horford before the Celtics' 121-110 victory vs. the Golden State Warriors.
"I mean, it's crazy,"Â said Smart. "Just the world of basketball, world of sports and medicine, has evolved so much to a point where, you know, you [have] got a guy with a torn Achilles, they're talking about coming back, and it hasn't even been a full year. So from that standpoint, that's ridiculous, but you know, I just hope that he takes his time and listens to his body."
Tatum is doing exactly that. So, while he may very well return to help the Celtics with this year's championship chase, that will only happen if he's absolutely ready to do so. Despite the speculation, returning Sunday was too soon.