It has been over a month since Jayson Tatum was quarantined under the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols and three weeks since he returned. He says he is still feeling the effects of the virus.
The Boston Celtics star told reporters on Tuesday that he continues to fight the breathing side of COVID-19, saying it is preventing his breathing and increasing his fatigue during games:
“I think it gets in the way of your breathing a little bit. I have already tried some games in which, I don’t mean, ‘struggle to breathe’, but, you know, you get tired a lot faster than normal.
“Just running up and down the court a few times, it’s easier to get winded or tired a lot faster. I realized that since I had COVID. It’s just something I’m working on. It has gotten better since the first game I played, but still deal with it from time to time. “
Tatum, a rising star in the middle of a year of career, returned to the Celtics on January 25.
Jayson Tatum’s numbers have suffered since the return of COVID-19, but not much
Before testing positive for the virus, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. Since returning, he has averaged 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 36.0 minutes per game.
Although Tatum’s minutes actually increased, his shot was damaged, going from 47.4% of field shots and 43.8% of background shots to 42.7% and 36.9%.
Tatum and the Celtics are 4-8 in the last period, and by far the most worrying defeat came in the team’s last game. Facing the Washington Wizards, who were 6-17 at the time, Tatum scored just six points out of 3 out of 14 shots in an ugly 104-91 defeat.
According to ESPN, Tatum said he talked to Celtics coach Brad Stevens about his problems, which seem to come and go as the Celtics play on his schedule.
“It’s something we talked about,” said Tatum, via ESPN. “And it’s not like every game in which I feel the whole game. It’s just a few stretches where the breath is a little out of tune, and I talk to the medical team and the coaching staff about it. the beginning game i went back and played.
“I think it’s just a long process. I talked to other guys who have been through this, and they say they’ve experienced the same thing and it gets better with time. But, as much as we play, I think it takes a little longer. “
The road doesn’t get much easier for the Celtics in the short term. The team has consecutive games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday and has no more than one consecutive day off for the rest of the first half calendar.
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