Celtics: Tatum’s return is “a matter of when, not if,” per MacMahon

Around the league, the expectation is that Jayson Tatum will be back this season — “it’s a matter of when, not if,” as Tim MacMahon put it in the latest chatter.

The main signal is on-court activity: Tatum has been doing 5-on-5 work for weeks, a significant step that typically precedes clearance and reintegration.

There’s also a competitive edge to his timeline: he wants to be sure he doesn’t return in a reduced role, echoed by the line circulating widely — “I’m not coming back to be a role player.”

Source: Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon)