Report: Jayson Tatum Takes ‘Significant Step’ In Possible Return From Injury
The Boston Celtics received the update they have been waiting nearly nine months to hear, signaling that their championship window might reopen sooner than expected. According to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, superstar forward Jayson Tatum has officially begun participating in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches, marking a pivotal milestone in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
Tatum, who suffered the devastating injury during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign. While the organization has remained tight-lipped regarding a specific timeline, this development represents the most tangible evidence yet that a return before the playoffs is increasingly likely. To further accelerate his rehabilitation, the team confirmed on Monday that Tatum would be assigned to the Maine Celtics for practice sessions before being immediately recalled—a standard but critical step for stars shaking off significant rust.
The timing offers a massive boost for Boston. Despite missing their franchise cornerstone, the Celtics have managed to stay afloat in a brutal Eastern Conference, currently sitting at 34-19 and holding the third seed. Jaylen Brown has played at an MVP level to keep the ship steady, but the ceiling of this roster has always been capped without Tatum’s elite scoring and defensive versatility.
However, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens continues to preach caution. The organization has made it clear that Tatum will not be cleared until he is "110 percent," prioritizing his long-term health over a rushed regular-season cameo. The transition from individual drills to contact scrimmages is often the hardest hurdle, testing not just the structural integrity of the tendon but the player's psychological trust in it. Tatum has reportedly emphasized that he wants to return only when he can play at his All-NBA standard, rather than as a diminished version of himself.
If Tatum can successfully ramp up his conditioning over the coming weeks, Boston could reintegrate him just in time for the final stretch of the regular season. A healthy Tatum joining a 34-win team adds a terrifying dimension to a squad already poised for a postseason run. For the rest of the NBA, the window to capitalize on a Tatum-less Celtics team appears to be rapidly closing.
Tatum, who suffered the devastating injury during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign. While the organization has remained tight-lipped regarding a specific timeline, this development represents the most tangible evidence yet that a return before the playoffs is increasingly likely. To further accelerate his rehabilitation, the team confirmed on Monday that Tatum would be assigned to the Maine Celtics for practice sessions before being immediately recalled—a standard but critical step for stars shaking off significant rust.
The timing offers a massive boost for Boston. Despite missing their franchise cornerstone, the Celtics have managed to stay afloat in a brutal Eastern Conference, currently sitting at 34-19 and holding the third seed. Jaylen Brown has played at an MVP level to keep the ship steady, but the ceiling of this roster has always been capped without Tatum’s elite scoring and defensive versatility.
However, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens continues to preach caution. The organization has made it clear that Tatum will not be cleared until he is "110 percent," prioritizing his long-term health over a rushed regular-season cameo. The transition from individual drills to contact scrimmages is often the hardest hurdle, testing not just the structural integrity of the tendon but the player's psychological trust in it. Tatum has reportedly emphasized that he wants to return only when he can play at his All-NBA standard, rather than as a diminished version of himself.
If Tatum can successfully ramp up his conditioning over the coming weeks, Boston could reintegrate him just in time for the final stretch of the regular season. A healthy Tatum joining a 34-win team adds a terrifying dimension to a squad already poised for a postseason run. For the rest of the NBA, the window to capitalize on a Tatum-less Celtics team appears to be rapidly closing.
