March 6: Tatum has been upgraded to available for Friday’s game vs. Dallas and will be active for the first time since last year’s playoffs, the team confirmed (Twitter link).
March 5: Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will return from his Achilles tear this season and could make his 2025/26 debut on Friday vs. the Mavericks in Boston, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Tatum has officially been listed by the team as questionable to suit up for Friday’s matchup with Dallas (Twitter link). According to Charania (Twitter link), the six-time All-Star is “ready to go” and the expectation is that he’ll be able to play tomorrow, but he and the team will finalize that decision within the next day or so.
Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round playoff series against the Knicks last May and underwent surgery to repair the injury the following day. He was one of three Eastern Conference stars to tear his Achilles during the 2025 postseason, along with Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton.
Lillard, who is nearly eight years older than Tatum, and Haliburton, whose injury occurred about six weeks after Tatum’s, were both ruled out for the 2025/26 season relatively early. However, the Celtics never made a similar announcement about their star forward, and he made it clear early in his recovery process that he hoped to beat the typical timeline and make it back before the end of ’25/26.
Tatum repeatedly stressed that he wouldn’t return unless he felt like he was 100% healthy and was both physically and mentally ready, but his return began to look increasingly likely as he started taking part in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the Celtics and their G League affiliate this winter.
If Tatum is activated on Friday, he’ll be back on the court less than 10 months – 298 days, to be exact – since he sustained his Achilles injury. He’ll certainly be on a strict minutes restriction and likely won’t play in back-to-backs as he ramps up his workload and prepares for the postseason.
Making his return in a home game has long been a priority for Tatum, as Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe observes (subscription required).
“I know one thing,” Tatum said last September. “My first game back will be at home. It will be in TD Garden. It probably will be emotional, but it’s something I’m looking forward to, just running through that tunnel and being on the court again with all of our fans and sharing that moment with them.”
Following Tatum’s injury and a series of cost-cutting offseason moves that saw the Celtics part with key players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, there was a sense that 2025/26 could be a “gap year” in Boston, with the team taking a step back from title contention before reloading for ’26/27.
But the Celtics have thrived even without their perennial leading scorer, posting a 41-21 record through three-quarters of the season. They hold the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and have the league’s second-best offensive rating, along with the seventh-best defensive rating.
Tatum made four consecutive All-NBA first teams from 2022-25 and averaged 27.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game during that stretch. This season, it’s been fellow wing Jaylen Brown who has been the team’s go-to option on offense, with career-high averages of 28.9 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Reintegrating Tatum into the lineup following Brown’s emergence will be one of the challenges the Celtics face during the final few weeks of the regular season. Tatum admitted in January that the risk of upsetting Boston’s chemistry was a factor he considered as he weighed whether to return this season, but he later expressed confidence that he and the team will make it work.
“I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team, but I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well,” he said, per Himmelsbach. “And not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment, and talking from that perspective.”
That’s really dumb lol
It’s actually smart. He’s going to take his time getting into game shape and getting more minutes as the season winds down, as well as getting back into a rhythm with his teammates. By the time the playoffs roll around, they should be used to having him back in the lineup. He wouldn’t be playing if he couldn’t do it.
I understand the process and path they want to take and agree that how they are trying to do it is smart.
I just think they should let him rehab the rest of the year and come back next season.
That is a wise path to take, but if he’s ready, he should play. Tatum has said all along that he wouldn’t play this season unless he was at 100%. He just got there faster than most of us thought he would.
Well, if he’s 100% truly, then they are about to cook.
If he is not 100% he shouldn’t be playing
He will be
To bring him back now. With less than 20 gms left. To get him in game shape. Then to go into competing in playoffs. Isn’t a wise move. The owner should step in and stop this madness. You don’t mess with my biggest investment. Who’s running this ????
The owner, lol
It’s his investment. Nobody tells mw what do with my money ……
“ Jayson Tatum signed a 5-year, $314 million supermax contract extension with the Boston Celtics in July 2024, which runs through the 2029-2030 season. This historic deal is the largest in NBA history, featuring a fully guaranteed $313,933,410 total value and an average annual salary of over $62 million. “
You mean the deal he signed before Chisolm bought the team? Did you miss Grousbeck giving everyone on the roster a pay day before selling the team?
Locking players in before they become too costly. The core will contend no matter what the salary cap looks like
What does that even mean. You let your biggest star. Investment. Come back now. His coach. His teammates. His family ALL should make sure he doesn’t play. It’s a career not a playoff run. The Celtics need from Jayson. As a Knick fan, I don’t care what they do. As an NBA fan. They are fools to let it happen.
Question what the difference from now to the beginning of the regular season. You do know guys don’t have to sit out a year for a Acl tear right? They just do. I understand Lillard because he’s in his mid-thirties but a guy in his twenties should be trying to come back as soon as possible. Jordan did the same thing and he was fine. Pushed his team into the playoffs since Court 63 against Boston that same year in the playoffs
Jordan had a broken foot. Nothing like Tatum.
I know the injuries aren’t the same but what I’m saying is he doesn’t take that long to come back from the Achilles. For older players, yes cuz that’s typically we see who gets the injury. Like I said, the ACL tears. Usually they’re using extra caution but you don’t have to be out of year. It does not take a year to return and come back to start playing basketball. I think it’s smart for him to come in and play 25 minutes and get into the playoffs and that way they can go into next seats and fully going
None of that matters. Imo I don’t let my #1 player come back to playoffs. After a major injury. Its a mistake. I would need half a season minimum before I let him play in playoffs.
It’s only a mistake if he gets hurt again. If not, it’s a good play so. Good thing me or you are not making the decision either. I’m going to be right or you’re going to be right but we’ll see. I’m just wishing the best for JT cuz he’s a really good young player and actually really good young man as well too
You do understand the level of play in playoffs and season are not the same. He won’t even be in game shape for playoffs. Mitch came back with 30 gms left last yr. And after playoffs he was done. Needed two more surgeries. And missed beginning of season this yr. and is now on game management. And his wasn’t as serious as Tatum. And didn’t even play 18 mins. If IF is not you invest in. Not on my watch lol.
Achilles injuries are much different than ACL injuries.
Of course nobody’s saying that they’re not but the injuries are different at 20 something than 30 something. We typically see Achilles industries with people that are in their thirties, not people in their twenties. I’m sure the rehab team wouldn’t pass him if he wasn’t good to go
Most of the Achilles tears last year were all under 30.
I know this is new. I’m not sure if it’s the shoes or the playing style. That’s besides the point. The point that I’m making is majority in the history of Achilles tears that we’ve seen in the NBA have been players over the age of 30, usually 32 or higher. The recovery process is a little bit different when you’re exiting the end of your Prime. I’ve had plenty of teammates and being seen people tear their Achilles and their twenties and they’re able to come back in 7 and 8 months. It’s just difference is the same thing. If you tear your hamstring or ACL injury and your 30s, you’re going to be out for a while and it’s going to take you time to get your rhythm back
No doubt modernized medicinal techniques help them bounce back faster as well. I hear ya I just wish he’d play it safer.
Hopefully he comes back and kills it!
Why so anxious all of a sudden? Sounds like maybe you are scared of the C’s after all, Knickerbocker.
Celtics are already competing without him, and he has been doing 5×5 drills for awhile now. I think this is going to go better than a lot of the comments are reacting negatively about.
I think it’ll work, but like you say, they’re doing well without him. Why not wait a few more weeks? There’s no reason to rush him back.
@rct this is actually a perfect time to get him back in the lineup if he’s healthy. He can take his time ramping up his minutes and adjusting to his teammates. They should be in a better rhythm by the playoffs. I like that much better than him not showing up until the playoffs. As long as he isn’t afraid of reinjury, this shouldn’t be an issue
He’s going to be afraid of re-injury for some time. But that’s normal and he’ll only get over it by playing.
If Jason’s ready it’s time. No use waiting. If he has a setback, which seems normal, he has the summer to recover. And we don’t want him second guessing himself all summer if he doesn’t play. That will just make his come back next season more pressurized.
Wow under 10 months is insane
Hali tore his achilles a few weeks after tatum & he’s ruled out the entire season
The Pacers are out of the playoffs. That’s why.
No, Hali was ruled out for the season long before the Pacers were out of the playoffs.
No, they knew they didn’t have a chance at making the playoffs so they ruled him out. And torn Achilles is only a 9-month injury. A torn ACL is only an 8 to 9-month injury. NBA players sit out for a year because if you heard it in the middle of the year most teams are just going to sit you but the players can play. They just choose usually to sit out for a year. Especially with advanced technology. The rehab is actually not as bad as it used to be
Don’t know why all the negativity. Obviously training staff hd been testing his Achilles and know what’s 100%. Don’t think he would attempt if wasnt right. Smart to get him some time and ramp it up before playoffs.
And you can be sure he’ll be brought along suuuuuuper slowly. I imagine he won’t be breaking 20mpg even through two weeks back on the court.
Everyone thinks they’re an expert and knows better than the actual experts. Not that the experts are always right, but the Celtics medical staff don’t have a history that suggests they should be looked at with a skeptical eye.
I mean, Tatum himself was leery about coming back, so if he’s going to return you know he has not been pressured in any way to do so. With medical staff approval and him being on board, there’s no reason he shouldn’t play. He’s certainly earned the right to decide that on a human level. Stopping him from returning because he’s an “investment” would be disrespectful and in this AI-crazed age where the human touch is being reduced and replaced I’m happy to see they’re letting him decide his own future.
If JT really is good to go, that’s a huge pat on the back to the Celtics medical staff, and JT himself, for a great rehab.
He wants to be there, working out with the team. He won’t play for a while. Then really slow played after that. They know what they have. Stopping him or slowing him down will be the challenge. Mins restriction will keep him in line. By May maybe 22 mins a game at the very most. And playoffs aren’t back to back games anyway.
He’s also human let’s not forget that. I’m sure he’s happy his team is winning but…. I think it’s completely reasonable to say that he doesn’t want them to win a championship unless he’s on the court. If Jalen brown were to lead the Celtics to championship without Tatum and have 2 finals MVP’s to Tatum’s 0 and won without him. Goodness there would be some uncomfortable conversations about Jason Tatum that understandably he doesn’t want to happen.
Celtics arent’ going to win a chip without Tatum.
Obviously.
When he had his surgery quickly they said it would ve different. JT works hard. No more than 25 minutes even playoffs. This is Brown’s team but they have no issues but wanting to win.
Having surgery the day after Jason’s injury does seem to have been a big factor in shortening his recovery time. Maybe a very smart move.
I really hope he’s not rushing it and is fully healed. I would hate to see him have a setback and injure himself worse. I know he’s a competitor and wants to be out there, just got to play the long game.
Put Tatum with a complete 2nd unit of Tatum, Pritchard, Vuc, Hugo, and Walsh. That Brown and Tatum won’t be taking time with the ball from each other.
Tatum and Brown have been playing together for years and have won a chip. What are you talking about?
I don’t think some of you understand what goes into rehabbing for an injury if this magnitude. In life their are no guarantees. Even if he is game managed. The competitive nature of the playoffs. Pushes everyone past their expectations. Why would you take this chance with your star player. Celtics aren’t coming out the East with him 100%. Pushing him into playoffs competition now. Is a disaster waiting to happen …….
Go ahead and do it ……..
The Injury and Gravity of Return
The Injury (Ruptured Achilles): This is considered one of the most severe injuries in sports, typically requiring 9–12 months for rehabilitation. While Tatum is around that 10-month mark, it is still an aggressive timeline.
The Risks: Rushing back from an Achilles injury can lead to re-injury or secondary injuries. The case of Kobe Bryant in 2013 is often cited, where returning too soon resulted in a broken tibia due to overcompensation.
The Challenge of Playoff Intensity: The playoffs are a completely different, more physical level of play. Returning, even if fully “cleared,” means jumping directly into maximum physical exertion, which can be a “lose-lose situation” if not 100% physically prepared.
CBS Sports
CBS Sports
Good old gap year. Go celtics.
Well I would have ruled him out for the year if it was my team.
But I was saying in the championship series that I would have held out Haliburton in games 6 and 7 after he injured his calf in the 5th game.
Absolutely no one agreed with that take.
I would just rather be cautious with those types of career jeopardizing injuries.
Same for Dame and the blood clot. 30 days is not enough time for your body to adjust to blood thinners, for the average person. A high demand on muscles and your cardio vascular system of an elite athlete in the NBA is an absurdity for a player only diagnosed with a clot needing dissolution only a month before.
Calf injuries lead to achilles tears. There’s enough data on this now teams need to know better at this point.
Ask for Tatum: Injury management, in reality, needs to happen while the player is not on the court you can’t regulate effort in a Game situation. No one wants to see that on the court, a half Tatum is not better than his replacement, and no one wants to see this guy re-rupture and Achilles.
Risky to come back this soon from an achilles tear.
That’s just history talking, there’s been enough of these to know better. Fingers crossed for him🤞🏼🤞🏼