Celtics' Brad Stevens says Jayson Tatum progressing well, but won't return until ‘fully ready'
When Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the Celtics' conference semifinals loss the the New York Knicks, everything about Boston's immediate future changed.
But what won't change is the Celtics' front office's prudence in making sure he has the space and time to make a full recovery.
Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the All-Star is progressing well following surgery last month. But asked about whether the team had put a potential timeline on Tatum's return, Stevens was definitive that there would be no rushing the star's rehabilitation.
'We don't and we won't,' Stevens said Wednesday night following the first round of the NBA draft. '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.'
Tatum is expected to miss most if not all of next season. It has already had implications for next season, with the team opting to trade Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday — both key contributors from the 2024 title team — in an effort to get the team's salary under the luxury tax second penalty apron.
But Stevens said All-Star Jaylen Brown has already been back to the Celtics' training facility since he had minimally invasive surgery to clean up his right knee. Brown is doing some light ball handling and work around the rim, Stevens said.
'We said be ready for training camp and I think he'll probably be going full well ahead of that,' Stevens said.
While Stevens said league rules wouldn't allow him to address the pending trades of Porzingis or Holiday, he said anything they do this offseason is with an eye toward regaining flexibility after multiple seasons with a high payroll.
'As far as whatever moves that those are a apart of, they're all separate and hard and things that you're going to have to do your best to make sure you put yourself in the right positions,' Stevens said. 'We knew this was coming. This isn't a huge surprise. … The biggest thing for us is making sure that we balance that, maximizing what we can with regard to what we bring back so we can continue to build and grow.'
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
13 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ohtani hits 29th homer, adds RBI triple to lead Dodgers over Royals 5-4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win. Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second. Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday. Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz. Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk. Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances. Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row. Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings. Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus innings Perez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Key Moment Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game. Key Stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013. Up Next Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday. ___ AP MLB:
National Post
14 hours ago
- National Post
Blue Jays smell blood in the water, trounce Red Sox 9-0 to reach halfway point in style
If there has been a flaw in the Blue Jays' impressive climb to post-season contention while leaving the .500 mark in the dust, it has been their sometimes inability to go for the jugular. Article content Losing two of three against the Chicago White Sox at the Rogers Centre a week ago was the most recent example. Article content Article content So, what to expect when heading to Boston's famed Fenway Park to end the first half of the season against a foundering Red Sox team that had dropped its previous five? Article content How about one of their more complete games of the season in a dominating 9-0 trouncing to kick off the first of a three-game weekend set in Beantown. Article content Yes, what a resounding way to officially reach the midway point of the season for manager John Schneider's soaring squad. Article content There was starting pitcher Jose Berrios going seven full innings, striking out eight and allowing just four Red Sox hits to lower his ERA to 3.26. By the time Nick Sandlin came on in relief, the Jays were already up 9-0. Berrios has now recorded wins in four of his past five starts, giving the team the reliable type of outings that have been his calling card. Article content There were three-hit nights from George Springer (who might well be the Jays MVP of the first half of the season) and Andres Gimenez, the latter driving in three runs as his batting average inched above .200. In all, six different Jays batsmen recorded at least a pair of hits as the team pounded out 16 in total. Article content And before the game, there was good news in the form of first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr., who was a late addition to the starting lineup. There was concern over the $500-million man from the previous day in Cleveland when he was hit by a pitch, but Guerrero's love for hitting at Fenway prevailed and he responded with a pair of hits, a walk and three runs scored. Article content Article content With the win, the Jays improved to 44-37 and shut out an opponent for a second consecutive contest after blanking the Guardians 6-0 on Thursday. Getting seven games above .500 matches a season-high for the Jays this season, the fourth time they've done so. With two weekend games remaining, the Jays now have the opportunity to inflict some serious damage on the reeling Red Sox — a divisional foe threatening to play themselves out of the American League wild-card race. Article content The Jays arrived in Boston with an opportunity to make a large statement and certainly landed blow after blow in Round 1, as they improved to 4-1 at Fenway so far this season. There is something clearly rotten in Red Sox Nation and good teams thrive on the opportunity presented by blood in the water. Article content It's certainly starting to feel as if there is some momentum with a team that has gone 28-17 since May 9, the third best record in the majors since then. Article content There have been ups and downs, sure, and inconsistencies. But on the other side, the Jays completed the first half of the season without meaningful contributions from their two biggest off-season acquisitions — Max Scherzer and Anthony Santander, the latter still on the injured list with shoulder issues. Article content But the resilience they've shown along the way has set them up for success. And winning three of the first four contests on this six-game road trip is not only a terrific launching point to the second half of the season, but a nice setup for a rather large four-game series against the division-leading New York Yankees beginning Monday at the Rogers Centre.
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
José Berríos, Blue Jays bullpen keep Red Sox bats silent in 9-0 win series-opening win
BOSTON (AP) — José Berríos pitched seven scoreless innings, George Springer had three hits and two RBI singles, and the Toronto Blue Jays earned a 9-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez also drove in runs for Toronto, which has won six of eight meetings with its AL East rivals this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added two hits. Berríos (4-3) allowed just four hits and struck out eight and surrendered only one walk in handing Boston its sixth loss in a row. Boston's Brayan Bello (3-3) gave up three runs off eight hits over six innings with a strikeout. But he didn't get support from a Red Sox lineup that has managed just four runs over their last three games. Boston was held to one run or none for the 15th time this season. Boston opponents have scored at least eight runs four times over the last nine games — all Red Sox losses. Guerrero Jr. was a late addition the the Blue Jays' lineup. He left their series finale win over Cleveland on Thursday after being hit by a pitch in his right forearm. X-rays didn't reveal a fracture, but manager John Schneider originally was going to be cautious and start Clement at first base. Key moment With runners on first and second with two outs in the first, Springer lined a single to center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela. Guerrero Jr., who was on second, tried to score and was called out on Rafaela's throw home to catcher Connor Wong. Toronto challenged, and replay showed Wong missed on the tag, overturning the call. Key stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. This marks the first six-game losing streak for Boston since Sept. 26, 2022. Up next RHP Chris Bassitt (7-3, 3.61 ERA) is set to start to make his 17th start of the season for the Blue Jays on Saturday. RHP Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.53) is slated to make his 11th start for the Red Sox. ___ AP MLB:
