The Boston Celtics are getting a breather during the All-Star break, but the buzz around the team hasn’t slowed down one bit - and it all centers on Jayson Tatum.
Tatum, who’s been sidelined since tearing his Achilles tendon in last year’s playoffs, has been grinding through rehab for the past nine months. From the jump, there’s been quiet optimism that he could make a return before the end of the season - with March or April circled as realistic targets. Now, that timeline is starting to feel a lot more real.
Earlier this week, Tatum took a significant step forward by participating in a practice session with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate. It’s the first real on-court action he’s had with a team setting since the injury, and it’s the clearest sign yet that his return is getting close.
Then came a curious move from the NBA that raised even more eyebrows: Boston’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, March 1, has been shifted from a 6 p.m. tip-off to an 8 p.m. primetime slot - and it’ll now be nationally televised on NBC.
That kind of schedule change doesn’t happen by accident. The league doesn’t just reshuffle start times and bump games into marquee viewing windows without a reason.
Sure, Celtics vs. Sixers is always a compelling matchup - two storied franchises, playoff implications, and star power on both sides.
But the timing of this move, paired with Tatum’s recent progress, has fans connecting the dots.
Is this a signal that Tatum could be back on the court by then? Nothing’s been confirmed, but the signs are starting to stack up. Between the G League practice and the league’s decision to give that March 1 showdown the primetime treatment, it’s fair to say anticipation is building.
Even without an official return date, this is the kind of momentum Celtics fans have been waiting for. Tatum’s presence on the floor changes everything - for Boston’s offense, their leadership, and their postseason ceiling. The Celtics have managed to stay competitive without him, but getting their All-NBA cornerstone back in the lineup would be a game-changer.
So while the All-Star break is a time to rest and recharge, it’s also a moment to keep an eye on what’s coming. March 1 is suddenly looking like a date to circle in bold. And if Tatum’s comeback does line up with that night, it could be the spark that reignites Boston’s championship push.