Jayson Tatum has been making significant progress in his Achilles rehabilitation as he nears a return to the court for the Boston Celtics. His comeback could occur within the next couple of weeks or, at the latest, next season.
With Tatum’s possible return drawing headlines, one NBA insider provided a key update on the superstar forward.
NBA Insider Drops Update on Jayson Tatum’s Return
Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 playoffs, ending the Celtics’ bid for a title repeat.
Tatum is nearly 10 months into recovery and is fully mobile, having participated in Boston’s recent scrimmages and practices. His activity suggests a real possibility of making his season debut, potentially boosting the team’s playoff chances.
ESPN’s “Get Up” on Wednesday featured a segment on Tatum, during which NBA insider Tim MacMahon provided an update on his recovery.
“A matter of when, not if,” MacMahon said. “He’s been playing five on five for weeks, ramping up. And I think, now, it’s really an issue of how comfortable Jayson Tatum is with the level that he feels like he can perform at. Coming back here, it’s not realistic to expect Jayson Tatum to jump right back in this late in the season, coming off that injury, and be the All-NBA player that he’s been for years.
“Can he be 80% of himself? He doesn’t want to be a role player. Let’s not put the role player label on him. Can he come in and contribute to a team that has established itself as a legitimate contender without him? Can he give this Boston team that profiles as a legitimate threat? Can he give Boston a boost? That’s what I think the question is for Jayson Tatum.”
“A matter of when, not if.”
—@BannedMacMahon on the timeline of Jayson Tatum’s pending return ☘️ pic.twitter.com/UXj4GZRb54
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 4, 2026
The Celtics have a legitimate chance at a title run given their performance this season. If Tatum returns to the rotation, the team could be poised for a deep playoff push.
Behind Jaylen Brown’s production, Boston holds a 41-20 record, occupying the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Joe Mazzulla-coached team leads the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Celtics will continue their homestand by hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
