The Boston Celtics’ two superstar players are making good progress in their injury rehabs.
Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 4 of the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the New York Knicks in May. He had surgery the day after getting injured and has been sharing updates on his recovery on social media, including a video this past weekend of him exercising in a pool.
Jaylen Brown played with a right knee injury during the postseason and had surgery to repair it after Boston was eliminated by New York. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported in May that Brown was dealing with a partially torn meniscus.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens gave a positive update on both players during a press conference Tuesday.
“Jayson is working every single day,” Stevens said, as seen in the video player above. “He has literally been here every day, except he took a few days break. When he takes that break, (trainer) Nick (Sang) goes with him, so he’s still working every single day.
“It’s been unique to be here in June and the early part of July and both Jayson and Jaylen are here. We’ve played late in the season, and this is usually a time when guys get away. But coming off each of them having surgery, they’ve both been here.
“Jaylen was in here this morning and did a shooting workout. He looks good. Jayson was in and moving pretty fast on that boot. All indications are they’re both progressing at incredible rates, which is great. But we’re not going to put any pressure on Jayson to get back any time soon. We have no reason to believe that Jaylen won’t be all clear and ready to go fairly shortly.”
With Tatum in the midst of a lengthy recovery, the Celtics will need Brown to step up next season and assume the role of the team’s No. 1 option offensively.
Stevens is confident that Brown will meet any challenge thrown at him.
“There’s no question Jaylen will draw the most attention and that Jaylen will thrive in that,” Stevens said. “You saw him several times — certainly in the few games in the playoffs where we had to play without Tatum, and I thought he did a good job, especially those two home games.
“I think he’s ready for any challenge. He always has been. I’m excited to see all these guys take a step up.”
