Following Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum’s recent G-League practice as part of his recovery, Bill Simmons of The Ringer criticized a particular coach for contributing to Achilles injuries suffered by both Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Simmons highlighted the suspicious pattern involving a shooting coach linked to multiple players experiencing severe lower leg injuries.
On The Ringer’s Bill Simmons podcast, Simmons expressed concern about the repeated Achilles issues encountered by players associated with the same shooting coach, though he refrained from directly naming anyone. He stated,
“How about like the footwork shooting coaches, and I don’t have to name them, but how come certain clients of certain shooting coaches seem to have lower leg injuries all the time? It’s because they’re putting too much stress on their lower legs.”
He added,
“Tyrese Hailiburton and Jayson Tatum shouldn’t be blowing out their Achilles at age 26, 27, it’s ridiculous.”
Simmons’ comments implicitly pointed to Drew Hanlen, who has coached numerous NBA stars including Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley Beal of the Los Angeles Clippers, Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings, and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat.
While Haliburton is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season due to his injury, Tatum’s timeline remains uncertain but more optimistic, with possibilities of a return before the regular season concludes.
Jayson Tatum Remains Uncertain About His Return Timeline
Despite advancing in his recovery by joining the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G-League affiliate, Jayson Tatum has not confirmed whether he will play again this season. In his first media remarks since October, Tatum emphasized that his return depends entirely on his health and ongoing rehabilitation progress.
He said,
“It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not,”
reflecting his cautious approach to the next steps.
“Still trying to figure it out. Still just going through the progressions of rehab,”
he added.
“Not saying that I’m coming back or not. It’s all about being healthy and going through the plan.”
Tatum also described steady improvements in his physical condition, highlighting his adjustment to more intense conditioning and live-contact drills:
“I feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday – the physical, conditioning, trusting it, every day I feel a little bit better. More conditioning, more live things. Getting acclimated to playing 5-on-5 and contact.”
The Celtics are set to face the Chicago Bulls in an upcoming game later this week.
Implications for Boston Celtics and Player Recovery Approaches
Simmons’ critique raises challenging questions about the training methods employed by certain shooting coaches, especially those focusing on footwork, and how these may inadvertently contribute to severe injuries like Achilles tears. The Celtics, relying heavily on Tatum’s talents, face uncertainty about how soon he can safely return and impact their season.
Given Haliburton’s prolonged absence, the repeated nature of these injuries among players linked to the same coach could prompt deeper evaluations in the NBA community regarding injury prevention strategies. For Boston fans, keeping Tatum healthy and fully prepared remains a top priority as the team navigates the current season’s competitive demands.
