Tyrese Haliburton is in regular contact with Jayson Tatum as he rehabs from a torn Achilles, hoping to replicate Tatum's successful comeback. Tatum returned in time for the Celtics' playoff run after suffering the same injury during last year's NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum
NBA Star Speaking Regularly With Jayson Tatum During Injury Rehab originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Another NBA star will attempt to replicate Jayson Tatum's successful comeback from a torn Achilles.
Tyrese Haliburton suffered the same devastating injury as Tatum during Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals. While Tatum returned in time for the Boston Celtics' playoff run, Haliurton watched the Pacers finish 19-63.
After the regular season concluded, Haliburton said Monday on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" that he's stayed in contact with Tatum during his recovery. The two-time All-Star is drawing inspiration from his Eastern Conference peer.
"Seeing Jayson have so much success -- Dejounte Murray also came back -- seeing those guys have so much success has been awesome," Haliburton said. "Jayson and me talk pretty regularly, so I'm excited to see his run throughout the playoffs. It's going to be fun to watch.Ā Yeah, seeing him have so much success definitely makes me excited for when I come back."
Haliburton took a major step last week when playing five-on-five basketball for the first time since suffering the Achilles tear in June. While he still feels "a step behind" after playing, he's participating in basketball-related activities without any setbacks.
"We're attacking it," Haliburton said. "I feel really good. It's like, when I'm running or playing, I don't even think about it anymore."
The Pacers underwent the type of gap year some may have expected from the Celtics, who instead earned the East's No. 2 seed with 56 wins. Haliburton and the NBA world watched Tatum make a remarkable recovery, averaging 21.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in 16 games since returning on March 6.
While Haliburton must now wait until next season to return, Tatum will prepare for a first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic.
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Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles during Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum successfully returned from his torn Achilles in time for the Boston Celtics' playoff run.
The Indiana Pacers finished the season with a record of 19-63 while Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined due to his injury.
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