Celtics star Jayson Tatum still not 'back to normal' after battle with COVID-19

Jayson Tatum is averaging 24 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over his last three contests, but the Boston Celtics star still isn't feeling 100%. 

After a 132-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, Tatum admitted he's still not feeling right after his battle with COVID-19 in January. 

"I'm not sure about back to normal. I for sure feel better than I did the first game [on Jan. 25]. It's a long process," Tatum said, according to CBS Boston. "I've talked to guys that said it took months for them to kind of catch their breath, and get their wind back. And I think I'm kind of on the same track with that. I for sure feel better. I don't feel necessarily the same before I got it when I was playing. I definitely know there's a difference. But I feel pretty good."

Tatum tested positive for the coronavirus on Jan. 9 and missed five games. He returned to the Celtics lineup on Jan. 25 and has had difficulty finding consistency since then. The 23-year-old is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 43.7% from the field and 36.8% from deep. 

With the first half of the 2020-21 season now over, Tatum will head to Atlanta to compete in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season. 

When the regular season resumes on March 11, the St. Louis native will be looking to get into a groove to help the Celtics reach the playoffs after a shaky first half.