The Boston Celtics faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and won 111-89. While the Celtics remain one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference, questions persist about whether Jayson Tatum will return this season.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave a puzzling response when asked about Tatum’s activity on the court during his recovery.
Joe Mazzulla Stares Down Reporter Over Jayson Tatum Practice Inquiry
One of the biggest questions this season is whether Tatum will make his return. Reports have indicated that Tatum intends to come back, while others suggest the Celtics may prefer he sit out the remainder of the season.
With uncertainty surrounding his status, media representatives asked Mazzulla about his star player’s recovery. In a recent interview, one reporter questioned whether Tatum is participating in team practices. Mazzulla remained silent and stared at the reporter.
Joe Mazzulla stared down the reporter that asked if Jayson Tatum participated in Celtics practice 😭
(h/t @CourtsideBuzzX) pic.twitter.com/u3MItv1ojR
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 22, 2026
Sports analyst and Celtics superfan Bill Simmons recently predicted that Tatum could return on March 1 when the Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers, citing several signs.
NBC moved the Celtics-76ers game to a primetime slot, ensuring national broadcast coverage. In addition, Tatum’s recovery docuseries, “The Quiet Work,” is scheduled to air the same day.
Tatum has also appeared in commercial ads discussing his recovery from an Achilles injury. In a recent New Era advertisement, Tatum reflected on the challenges he encountered during recovery.
“The experience has taught me a lot about myself,” Tatum said about his recovery. “Thirty-nine-and-a-half weeks out since surgery, and I can vividly remember being out of surgery, and, you know, not necessarily seeing myself being where I am today.
“So, I’m proud of myself for sticking with it and just literally taking it one day at a time, and that’s what I’mma keep doing going forward. The goal is always to be better than I was last year. Even with the injury, focusing on my game, my body, all those things, I’ll be back and be better.”
Considering these developments, there is hope that Tatum will return this season. As of this writing, he has reportedly been participating in some Celtics practices and workout sessions.
Reports suggest Tatum is working under a restricted load during training. He has also taken part in 5-on-5 scrimmages with teammates to regain rhythm on the court.
While these reports are encouraging, they do not guarantee Tatum’s return this season. For now, the Celtics and their fans await official confirmation from Tatum or the team.
