The Celtics have been without star forward Jayson Tatum for more than two weeks following his entry into the NBA’s health and safety protocol, but after clearing protocol earlier this week, Tatum is “closer rather than not” to returning to the floor according to Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
On Wednesday, Stevens said Tatum had a “50/50 shot” of playing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, but he was later ruled out. The Celtics lost that game to extend their current losing streak to three games. Tatum last played on January 8th in a win over the Washington Wizards (a team derailed by COVID-19 issues that is on a streak of six consecutive postponements).
Stevens’ latest update on Tatum’s status came on Friday, and the coach says that Tatum will continue to work out and “go from there.”
#NEBHInjuryReport update: Brad Stevens says of Jayson Tatum, “I think he’s closer rather than not. He’ll work out today, tomorrow in Boston, and then we’ll go from there.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 22, 2021
The Celtics return to the court on Sunday night at home against Collin Sexton and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
