Jayson Tatum Says He’s Coming Back This Season - And the Celtics Are Getting Ready
Jayson Tatum isn’t done with the 2025-26 season. That’s the message he delivered loud and clear, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who shared on SiriusXM NBA Radio that the Celtics star told him directly: he’s planning to return this year.
Tatum, 27, has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles tendon late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks back in May. The injury was a gut punch - not just for Boston’s playoff hopes at the time, but for the outlook of this season as well. He underwent surgery in New York within 12 hours of the injury, and from that moment, the speculation began: would Tatum be back this year, or would he sit out the entire campaign?
Those questions have lingered for months. Some believed the smart move was to shut it down for the year, prioritize long-term health, and come back fresh in 2026-27.
Others - especially given the way the Celtics have stayed afloat - have been holding out hope for a return this season. Now, it seems Tatum himself is leaning toward the latter.
The Celtics Are Holding Their Ground
Through 26 games, Boston sits at 15-11 - good for the No. 4 seed in an Eastern Conference that’s as up-for-grabs as it’s been in years. It’s not dominance, but it’s a solid position, especially when you consider the Celtics have been without their franchise cornerstone.
And here’s where things get interesting: Boston is heading into a stretch of games that could turn their season around in a hurry. After a tough back-to-back this weekend against the Heat and Raptors, the Celtics hit a soft patch in the schedule that could allow them to stack wins and build momentum.
Here’s what the next seven look like:
- Dec. 22 vs. Pacers (6-20)
- Dec. 26 @ Pacers
- Dec. 28 @ Trail Blazers (10-16)
- Dec. 30 @ Jazz (10-15)
- Jan. 1 @ Kings (6-20)
- Jan. 3 @ Clippers (6-20)
- Jan. 5 vs. Bulls (11-15)
That’s seven games against teams with losing records, and several of them are deep in rebuild mode. If Boston takes care of business - and even going 5-2 would be a solid showing - they’d be sitting at 21-13 heading into a marquee matchup with the Nuggets on Jan. 7.
That game, against a Denver team that’s currently near the top of the West, could be a measuring stick. And while it’s unlikely Tatum will be back by then, the buzz around his return will only grow louder as Boston continues to climb the standings.
Brad Stevens Is Keeping the Door Open
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens isn’t putting a timeline on Tatum’s return - but he’s also not ruling anything out. Speaking from the Auerbach Center this week, Stevens made it clear that the team is preparing for a possible return, but won’t rush anything.
“One of the things that everybody can see is we didn’t apply for a [disabled player exception] this year, which was a conscious decision for a lot of reasons,” Stevens said. “But the reality is, he’s not going to be back until he’s 110% healthy and he feels good about it, and that’s a big part of it.”
Stevens laid out the roadmap: first, Tatum has to hit a strength threshold. Then comes a gradual ramp-up - from light workouts to controlled scrimmages, then to full 5-on-5 play, and finally, reconditioning to handle full game minutes. It’s a long process, and Boston isn’t skipping steps.
But the team’s decision not to apply for a DPE speaks volumes. They’re keeping the roster flexible, leaving room for Tatum to return when he’s ready. That’s not just optimism - it’s preparation.
What Does This Mean Right Now?
In the short term, not much changes. Tatum’s not suiting up tomorrow. But Haynes’ report - that Tatum fully intends to play this season - is the clearest sign yet that the five-time All-NBA forward is targeting a return in early 2026.
And that changes the conversation.
If Boston keeps winning, the narrative becomes: “Imagine what this team could be with Tatum back in the mix.” If they struggle, it shifts to: “They need Tatum if they want any shot at a title.” Either way, his return looms large.
The Celtics are in a position to make a move. They’ve weathered the storm without their best player, and now they’re entering a stretch where they could surge. If Tatum rejoins a team that’s already in the top tier of the East, the ceiling gets a whole lot higher.
And make no mistake - Tatum wants to be part of that. He’s not thinking about next year. He’s thinking about this one.
The Celtics are giving him the space to come back on his own terms. And when he does, the rest of the league better be ready.