For the first time since suffering a devastating Achilles injury in the playoffs, Jayson Tatum appeared at a basketball camp this summer. What NBA scouts witnessed there has everyone talking about the Boston Celtics superstar’s remarkable recovery progress.
How Is Jayson Tatum’s Recovery Progressing Ahead of Schedule?
An NBA scout recently expressed surprise at Tatum’s physical condition during Chris Paul’s “CP3 Elite Camp” in Las Vegas. The Boston Celtics superstar suffered an Achilles tear during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, an injury that typically requires extensive rehabilitation.
However, the scout noted that Tatum seemed ahead of the typical recovery timeline for an Achilles injury. While Tatum didn’t sprint or jump during the camp, his movement quality caught veteran evaluators off guard.
Tatum’s agility and strength during light basketball activities left scouts quietly impressed. The unnamed scout shared his thoughts during an interview with Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports.
“I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead,” the scout said. “I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving. I have no idea for what any of this means for when he can come back.”
The scout emphasized the careful approach Tatum and the organization are taking with his rehabilitation. “I’m sure him and the Celtics’ medical people have their program set up, and they’ll make sure that he’s where he needs to be when he does get back,” he added.
The scout described how Tatum managed his limited role during the session while still making an impression. Even though most scouts were focused on evaluating upcoming talent, Tatum’s smooth movements were impossible to ignore.
“Those of us in the scouts section weren’t really watching Jayson closely; we’re all here trying to evaluate guys we’ll be drafting in a year or two,” the scout said. “Some of the scouts haven’t seen the high school guys, so you’ve really got to lock in on who’s playing well. Guys are watching shot arcs and all kinds of stuff.”
Nevertheless, neither the Celtics nor Tatum has clarified when he would return to game action. A safe bet is that he would miss at least half of the upcoming 2025-2026 season while continuing his careful rehabilitation process.
Can Jaylen Brown Lead the Celtics During Tatum’s Absence?
With Tatum’s absence looming, NBA analyst Brian Windhorst believes Jaylen Brown will have a breakout year. Brown notably underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in June. If he is healthy for the season, Windhorst believes Brown could take full control of the team’s offense.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, has long played second fiddle to Tatum. With his superstar teammate sidelined to start the year due to his Achilles rehab, all eyes are on Brown to lead the charge for the defending champions.
Windhorst, alongside Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps, discussed Brown’s looming role during a recent episode of “The Hoop Collective” as they debated the Celtics’ projected win total for the season.
“I suspect that Jaylen Brown, assuming his knee is okay, is going to have a massive season, and I think he’s going to just carry them to a bunch of wins,” Windhorst said. “I think he’s going to see it as an opportunity this year to show everybody what he can do.”
Windhorst admitted that Brown’s efforts won’t likely be enough to win the title but remains confident that he is going to be a difference-maker. Moreover, Windhorst even doubled down on his expectations for Brown, even urging fantasy basketball listeners to listen to his prediction.
