Celtics’ Brad Stevens provides major Jayson Tatum injury update

The Boston Celtics saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion a month ago, and also saw most, if not all, hope for next season dashed just as quickly.

Jayson Tatum suffered a torn achilles during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Seminfinals against the New York Knicks, which the Celtics would lose in six games. About a month following the injury, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens provided an update on Tatum’s timeline to return to action.

“We don't and we won't,” Stevens said when asked if the team has a timeline for Tatum’s return. “We won't put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time. ... It's baby steps right now. He's actually progressed great, but I don't know what that means in regard to projected timelines. But that will be in consultation with him ... and everybody else to make sure when he hits the court he is fully ready, and fully healthy. And that will be the priority.”

The Celtics have already begun making moves to get under the second apron, and salvage next season. This week has seen both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis be traded away. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have also been picking up steam in the trade market, though recent reports suggest that neither player will be on the move anytime soon. 

Tatum joined Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, and was later joined by Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton as Eastern Conference stars to suffer an achilles tear in this year’s playoffs.