The Boston Celtics have listed Jayson Tatum as available for Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, setting the stage for a remarkable comeback from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in last year’s playoffs.
The Celtics had been expected to take a step back this season without Tatum but instead are second in the Eastern Conference. Now they add a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection to a team that has won seven of its past nine games.
Tatum’s return comes less than 10 months after he tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.
A minutes restriction or load management plan might be expected for Tatum, but Boston plays its next 12 games without any back-to-backs on the docket; the next one is March 29 and 30. That should allow Tatum a chance to get some consistent reps on the court and gradually build himself up ahead of a playoff push in which the Celtics will once again be seen as a favorite to emerge from the Eastern Conference.
Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game last season for Boston.
After Friday’s home game against the Mavericks, the Celtics go on the road for three straight against playoff contenders: Cleveland on Sunday, San Antonio on Tuesday and Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Information from ESPN’s Shams Charania was used in this report.
