The Boston Celtics are heading into the next season with an overhauled roster following their loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semis last season. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are no longer on the team, but, more importantly, franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon during the playoffs. His absence on the court is going to leave a noticeable void, and his return is one of the most anticipated storylines of the year.

His teammate, Jaylen Brown, seems to have an optimistic outlook on the forward’s potential comeback. Speaking to NBCS Boston, he said, “It looks like he’s going to be ready for opening night. But this is somebody with a crazy work ethic and passion for the game. So I’m not surprised.” Brown highlighted Tatum’s dedication to his recovery, and how quickly he has made progress.

While optimism is high, the journey back for Tatum hasn’t been easy. He’s gone through a six-week period in a protective boot, followed by weight-bearing exercise, hydrotherapy, and on-court mobility drills.

His rehab has been carefully monitored by the Celtics and his surgeon, who are aiming to restore his stability while minimizing injury risk. His surgeon, Dr O’ Malley, remarked that he had never seen someone recover on this fast of a timeline before.

Tatum himself has been public with his rehab. Speaking about the initial period, he said, “That first six weeks of this was probably the toughest six weeks of any point in my life.” He talked about the mental and physical strain of being sidelined this way, worried that he may lose everything he had worked his all his life for.

However, he stressed the importance of patience and discipline in his approach, including daily sessions with strength coaches, which have been crucial in his recovery.

Tatum previously gave fans a glimpse into his recovery schedule, showing how hard he is working to get back to full strength. “Rehab is tedious, man … It’s six days a week … I’m out of the boot now. Better days ahead, but just trying to take it one day at a time,” he said. The work included agility drills and, more recently, on-court activity, to test his ankle under live conditions.

Tatum has also credited the Celtics with allowing him time for proper recovery at his own pace. “No pressure from Brad, Joe, the team or the organization,” he said, showing that GM Brad Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla have full belief in him. All of these factors, have been crucial in navigating what, in the past, has been a career derailing injury, making sure he’s ready to contribute effectively as soon as he can.

Jaylen Brown Set to Lead Celtics Offense Amid Tatum’s Achilles Recovery

With Jayson Tatum currently sidelined, Jaylen Brown is expected to carry most of the offensive load for the Boston Celtics. This is the first time in Brown’s career being the undisputed top scoring option on the team when the season starts, and the role will test his instincts and leadership on a nightly basis.

Rohan Brahmbhatt of ClutchPoints predicts that Brown could finish top-five in scoring this season. “It is not unrealistic to project Brown averaging over 28 points per game this season, which would put him in the mix for a top-five scoring spot league-wide. His role will be as expansive as ever, and without Tatum’s slower, deliberate half-court style, Boston will tailor its offensive system around Brown’s athleticism and direct scoring instincts,” he said.

The increased responsibility will also result in a higher usage role for Brown, who will need to create offense not just for himself, but the rest of his team as well. On top of this, Brown will also be the target of the best defensive assignments from opposing teams with no Tatum on the floor, which may affect his efficiency.

This, combined with an uptick in shot attempts, will mean that other pieces, like Derrick White might also be asked to step up, and keep the team afloat in hopes that Tatum can return later in the year.