Thursday’s Boston Celtics practice marked Jay Scrubb’s first since tearing his ACL during last season’s training camp.
“I felt great,” Scrubb told reporters at the Auerbach Center on Thursday (via CLNS Media). “I felt great to be back out there, getting the wind back, getting my shot back, getting my rhythm back. It felt good, and all the guys welcomed me back, so, that’s the most important part,” conveyed Scrubb, adding, “It felt exciting. All the work that I put in, seeing it translate to the court, it felt amazing.”
Jay Scrubb on the floor at Auerbach Center. First time we’ve seen him working out since the ACL tear. He’s still a few weeks away from game action, but took part in his first practice since the injury today. pic.twitter.com/3HkyOoQZLc
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) October 10, 2024
The injury came shortly after the former JUCO standout earned a two-way contract with Boston, following an impressive showing at the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League.
Scrubb averaged 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and just under a block per game for the Summer Cs. The six-foot-five guard got his buckets efficiently too, knocking down 40% of his attempts from three-point range.
Earlier this week, CelticsBlog’s Bobby Manning was the first to report that the swingman would join the Celtics’ roster for this year’s training camp.
“It’s been a battle. (I) had a tough injury. (I) had to bounce back from it, but (I’m) just trying to work hard to get back to where I was at. I had real confidence in (the) last year that I could get back to where I was at, and that’s just what it’s been, just working, working every day, trying to put it back together.”
Scrubb went on to explain that his rehab process was a difficult one and that he learned a lot about himself throughout that time. He pointed at last season’s championship team as a huge motivator while he recovered.
“Seeing them win a championship — it motivated me, it gave me that extra push.”
The organization as a whole played a great role in Scrubb’s recovery and for that reason, he hoped to be able to rejoin them upon returning to full strength.
“We have been in communication ever since I got injured. So, I pretty much knew this is where I wanted to be at, and I voiced it with them that I wanted to be here. They took good care of me through my rehab process. So, I felt like this would be the best place for me to come back.”
Though Scrubb was able to get back on the floor Thursday, it’s unlikely that he’ll suit up in any of Boston’s three remaining preseason games. Fans should expect to see him playing up with Maine with Boston’s G-League affiliate once the season gets underway.
