Jayson Tatum was sidelined for just over two weeks when he had COVID-19 last month and appeared fine when he returned Jan. 24 and scored 25 points, but the Celtics star acknowledged Tuesday he's still dealing with side effects.
“I think it messes with your breathing a little bit,” he said to reporters on a Zoom call. “I have experienced some games where, I don’t want to say struggling to breathe, but you get fatigued a lot quicker than normal. Just running up and down the court a few times, it’s easier to get out of breath or tired a lot faster.
“I’ve noticed that since I’ve had COVID. It’s just something I’m working on; it’s gotten better since the first game I played, but I still deal with it from time to time.”
Tatum said the Celtics and their medical team are aware, but added it doesn't last for an entire game.
“It’s just certain stretches where breathing is a little out of whack, and I talk to the medical staff and coaching staff about it,” he said. “It’s gotten better obviously from the first game I came back and played. I guess it’s just a long process. I’ve talked to other guys that have had it and they say they experienced the same thing, and it kind of just gets better over time. But as much as we play, I guess it takes a little bit longer.”
Tatum's symptoms last month of fever, chills, and body aches lasted just over a day.
The Celtics will host the Nuggets Tuesday night.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram