Jayson Tatum is inching closer to a potential return from the Achilles injury he suffered during last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks - but not everyone is eager to see him back on the court just yet. And when that caution is coming from someone who’s lived through the high-stakes gamble of playing hurt, it’s worth listening.
Isaiah Thomas, the former Celtics All-Star who once put the team on his back during a memorable playoff run, knows a thing or two about pushing through pain - and the long-term consequences that can come with it. On a recent episode of his Point Game with Isaiah Thomas podcast, Thomas sat down with Jamal Crawford and offered a candid take on Tatum’s situation.
"Personally, I don't feel like he should come back," Thomas said. "Being a guy that's been injured before - playing your best basketball ever - and then coming back and being expected to be that same person right away? It's like you're in a lose-lose situation."
That sentiment hits especially hard coming from Thomas, whose own career trajectory was altered after he played through a significant hip injury during the 2017 playoffs. He was in the middle of a career-defining stretch, much like Tatum was last spring, when the injury struck. And while the circumstances are different - a hip versus an Achilles - the underlying dilemma is the same: when do you push, and when do you protect the future?
Thomas went on to highlight the pressure that comes with returning to a contending team. "To be on a really good team - like all of this has happened to me, so I'm talking from experience - I don't think there's a rush for him to come back."
He didn’t mince words about the burden that could fall on Tatum’s shoulders if he returns too soon. "You come back and say you play okay, and you guys don't win - who are they blaming?
They're blaming you. That's just unnecessary pressure put on yourself."
And then there’s the nature of the injury itself. An Achilles tear isn’t a sprained ankle or a pulled hamstring. It’s one of the most serious injuries an athlete can suffer, especially for a player who relies on explosive movement, change of direction, and elite footwork like Tatum does.
"Let’s not rush this back," Thomas said. "Yes, they've probably done the right steps.
And yes, he's probably getting healthy and feels like he's good enough to play, for sure. And I've been that age too - your pride, your ego, you feel like you're missing out on things."
That last part is something every competitor can relate to. When you’re young, hungry, and watching your team chase a title without you, it’s tough to sit still. But Thomas’ message is clear: don’t let pride write a check your body can’t cash.
Tatum’s return, whenever it comes, will be one of the biggest storylines of the season. But if there’s a silver lining in Thomas’ words, it’s this - sometimes the smartest play is the one you don’t make. And for a franchise with championship aspirations and a star still in his prime, patience might be the toughest - and most important - move of all.