Jayson Tatum is inching closer to a return - and that’s big news for a Boston Celtics team with championship aspirations.
On Monday, the Celtics announced that Tatum has been assigned to participate in portions of the Maine Celtics’ practice at the Auerbach Center. It’s a key step in his recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered back on May 12, 2025, during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
That injury was a gut punch - not just for Boston, but for the entire league. Tatum was playing some of the best basketball of his career, fresh off leading the Celtics to the 2024 NBA title over the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Losing him in the middle of a deep playoff run was a brutal twist for a team built to contend.
But now, there’s real momentum behind his comeback.
Let’s put this in context. Achilles injuries are no joke.
They’ve derailed careers and tested even the most elite athletes. But Tatum, ever the competitor, hasn’t just been sitting back and waiting for time to do the work.
He’s been attacking the rehab process with the same intensity he brings to the court.
Back in October, he spoke openly about his recovery, emphasizing that it’s not just about the calendar - it’s about hitting specific benchmarks. “Everybody thinks it’s a time-based recovery,” Tatum said.
“Time is obviously important, but you have to hit certain benchmarks. The most important thing is all these tests of your strength - the strength in your calf, the strength in your leg.
Getting into the same strength as your left calf or even stronger.”
That’s the mindset of a player who understands what it takes - physically and mentally - to return at the highest level. He also made it clear he’s confident in the surgical repair and the work he’s put in to get back. “We won’t have that problem again,” he said.
And if Tatum is right - if he really is close to being back - that changes everything for Boston.
This is a player who’s already etched his name into Celtics lore. Since being drafted third overall in 2017 out of Duke, Tatum has blossomed into a perennial All-Star and one of the league’s most complete forwards. Six All-Star selections, five All-NBA nods, and a championship ring speak volumes about his impact.
He’s averaged 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game over his career - numbers that reflect his versatility on both ends of the floor. And it’s not just the stats. Tatum’s presence on the court gives Boston a go-to scorer, a reliable defender, and a leader who’s been through the battles.
Before he was lighting it up in the NBA, Tatum was a star at Duke, where he averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his lone college season. He led the Blue Devils to a 28-9 record in 2016-17, though their March Madness run was cut short by an upset loss to South Carolina in the second round. Still, he left his mark - including a 28-point performance against Virginia that remains a highlight of his college career.
Now, nearly a decade into his NBA journey, Tatum is looking to add another chapter - one that includes a comeback from an injury that could’ve derailed a lesser player.
The Celtics have held steady in his absence, but make no mistake: a healthy Jayson Tatum elevates this team to a different level. With his return on the horizon, Boston fans have every reason to be excited.
The Celtics are already contenders. With Tatum back in the fold, they might just be the team to beat.