LOS ANGELES — Jayson Tatum continues to look like he could return this season from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Celtics star didn’t confirm or deny anything about an in-season return, stressing that he wants to put himself in a position where that’s a realistic choice.
But the comeback buzz is real. Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics, the team’s G League affiliate, earlier this month. Marcus Smart, now with the Lakers, spoke about how he’s been able to keep in touch with Tatum amid the Celtics star’s rehab process.
“He’s doing real well as you guys know,” Smart said before the Celtics beat the Lakers on Sunday. “That’s all you can ask for. That’s something you never want to see from anybody, but especially for a guy you’ve been to battle with and you got a good relationship with. So it was tough to see that but I’m glad he’s in good spirits and his process is going very well.”
Smart and Tatum were teammates from 2017-23, making multiple deep playoff runs together. Smart was a big piece of the 2022 NBA Finals berth, though the Celtics fell two wins shy of the title that season. There were bumps along the road, but it’s clear the two still have a great relationship years later.
Smart was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies in the Kristaps Porzingis deal in the summer of 2023, as C’s moved on from their emotional leader. Smart’s past two seasons were rocky between stints in Memphis and Washington. He resurfaced with the Lakers, but struggled Sunday against the Celtics.
Smart sounds like a friend cheering on Tatum’s return, much like the rest of the basketball world.
“It’s crazy,” Smart said. “The world of basketball, the world of sports and medicine has evolved so much. You got a guy who tore his Achilles talking about coming back before a full year. From that standpoint, it’s ridiculous. I just hope he takes his time and listens to his body.”