In a dramatic and remarkable turn of events, Jayson Tatum has informed the Boston Celtics of his status for next season after a devastating Achilles tear during the Celtics’ second-round playoff defeat to the New York Knicks.
Typically, in these scenarios, the following year is almost certainly out of the question. However, Tatum is no typical player. He has attacked the rehab challenge relentlessly, refusing to give up on next season, and his return timeline could be “unprecedented.”
ESPN Insider Declares Jayson Tatum’s Goal Regarding The Upcoming Season After Remarkable Post-Surgery Rehab
Similar to that South Park gif “I don’t hear no bell!” Tatum refuses to be counted out for the 2025/26 season. In fact, he has told the Celtics that he intends to return at some point this season, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Of course, there are still variables, including whether the Celtics will be in the hunt after the turn of the year.
Getting clearance from team doctors. Additionally, the Celtics may opt to be cautious and ensure he’s fully recovered without any setbacks.
Nevertheless, appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Charania said the following regarding Tatum’s status next season: “The Celtics haven’t ruled him out, I think the Celtics are cautiously optimistic…clearly Jayson Tatum has a goal in his mind that he wants to play. Now, whether he can get there by the time we get to February, March, April, we’ll see.”
“The Celtics haven’t ruled out Jayson Tatum for the season and they’re cautiously optimistic..
He has a goal in mind that he wants to play this season and we’ll see if he gets there” @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/nfVq9tHOaB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 9, 2025
The fact that the player is even at this stage is a testament to his mental fortitude and rigorous workout regimen. Considering the two other NBA stars who tore their Achilles around the same time, Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton have both been confirmed as out for the entire upcoming season.
Tatum’s teammates have been awe-struck upon their return to camp to see Tatum working out, and they shared with Celtics insider for NBC Sports, Chris Forsberg, that they were “inspired,” another said, “Dudes a machine. He’s recovering at a crazy rate.”
Forsberg himself said regarding the speed of recovery, “I think we’re watching something potentially unprecedented.”
The insider for NBC Sports reports that many aspects of this are unprecedented. First of all, he had the surgery within 12 hours of the Achilles tear. This is reportedly the fastest it’s ever been done.
The fact that Tatum has returned to doing basketball drills within four months of the surgery is also unprecedented. This has forced Forsberg to revise Tatum’s return timeline to perhaps as early as February.
Meanwhile, videos emerge of Tatum already dunking in workouts.
Jayson Tatum is dunking again 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/9KcLnSB7sr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 9, 2025
It looked bleak for their team’s hopes four months ago, but this has the potential still to be an exciting upcoming season for Celtics fans, as their star is doing all he can to return in time for the business end of the season.
