Jayson Tatum Assigned to G League amid Injury Rehab, Latest Timeline and Updates on Celtics Star

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is taking a big step in his rehab this week.

The team announced that Tatum "will be assigned to participate in portions of" the G League Main Celtics' practice on Monday.

Tatum has missed the entire NBA season so far while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered last May during the second round of the playoffs. However, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Feb. 8 that Tatum started "controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches" and has "aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn."

Despite Tatum's absence, the Celtics have maintained their status as one of the best teams in the league, ranking third in the Eastern Conference with a 34-19 record. While it initially appeared that Boston could be without its best player for the entire year, it now sounds like he could have the chance to return and boost the team's chances for a deep playoff run.

A six-time All-Star, Tatum is one of the league's brightest young players. The 27-year-old finished fourth in the NBA MVP voting last season after posting averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists across 72 games.

Getting Tatum back to full strength is obviously a priority for the Celtics, but they won't rush him back to the court until he's 100 percent recovered.

Until Tatum is able to return, it will continue to be up to star guard Jaylen Brown to lead the way for Boston alongside players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.