The 2024–25 NBA postseason was nothing short of brutal. From Tyrese Haliburton’s heartbreaking Achilles tear to Damian Lillard’s devastating setback and Jayson Tatum’s shocking collapse in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the fans were reminded just how fragile greatness can be.
Amid the chaos, there are signs of hope. Tatum’s recovery has progressed steadily, and his consistent presence at practice has fueled optimism across the league. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla recently provided an update on Tatum’s status and offered insight into the star’s potential return this season.
Joe Mazzulla Addresses Jayson Tatum’s Chances of Returning in the 2025–26 NBA Season
Tatum’s injury hit like a thunderclap in the heat of the 2024–25 playoffs. In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks on May 12, he lunged for a 50–50 ball in the final minutes and suffered a ruptured right Achilles.
He underwent surgery the next day, which ended his postseason and cast uncertainty over his availability for the 2025–26 season.
While his steady recovery and recent practice appearances have fueled optimism, Mazzulla remained noncommittal about his return this season, emphasizing that his focus is on Tatum being an integral part of the team and acknowledging the effort he’s putting into his return.
“I have no idea. I never thought about it,” Mazzulla said when asked about Tatum’s chances of returning, via Andscape. “The only thing that I care about is that he’s a part of a team, and it’s a credit to him.
“He’s on the bench for every game. He’s on the trips. He’s working out during practice. He is in the film rooms. He’s at shootarounds. That’s how he’s leading, with his presence, and that’s how he’s preparing to come back whenever that is. That’s the only thing that matters.”
By early October, clips of Tatum practicing began circulating online. Fans were impressed by springy vertical work, controlled on-court reps, and a viral two-footed dunk that looked far beyond what many would expect from a player months removed from major tendon repair.
The speed and sharpness of his return-to-play progression were so striking that even teammates marveled publicly, with Jaylen Brown during a casual Twitch stream essentially calling Tatum otherworldly for how fast he was trending.
But Achilles injuries typically require a full year of recovery, and while Tatum hasn’t ruled out an earlier return, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix noted that such a timeline would be “fairly shocking.” Those closest to Tatum reportedly want him to take the full year to rest and recover properly.
The Celtics have felt the impact of his absence. Boston currently stands at 10–8, struggling for consistency despite Jaylen Brown’s average of 27.9 points per game. Even so, the team remains above .500 and sits eighth in the Eastern Conference, underscoring just how vital Tatum is to the squad.
