Jayson Tatum Takes Rehab Step With Celtics G League

Merlin sees progress. Boston announced Jayson Tatum "will be assigned to participate in portions of" the G League Main Celtics' practice after missing the season with a torn Achilles. ESPN's Shams Charania adds Tatum started "controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches" and has "aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn." The Celtics sit 34-19 and have stayed elite without him, but Tatum’s return would shift Boston from a very good team to a true title threat. Merlin notes patience is the guardrail. Tatum is a six-time All-Star who averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists last year, so the temptation to rush him is real. Boston insists they will not bring him back until he is 100 percent, and Jaylen Brown will keep steering the ship until then.