The Boston Celtics have managed quite well without Jayson Tatum, but it goes without saying that their title hopes still rest on him. In spite of how impressive the Celtics have been without him, many have been counting down the days until he returns to the floor. Now, not only has there been a new update on him, but it’s been confirmed what would have to be cleared above all else for Tatum to come back.
Jayson Tatum Aims To Return to the Celtics With His Full Force
ESPN’s Shams Charania gave two particular updates on Tatum’s return to the Celtics. One, where he is physically, and two, what it would take for him to come back.
“My understanding is these five-on-five controlled scrimmages have been taking place with coaches and the stay-ready group on the Celtics,” Charania said.
“He still has more boxes to check, though. Obviously, the next natural progression is for him to feel comfortable enough to move with practice with his rest of the roster and the rest of his teammates. There’s going to be the normal nerves at this point in the calendar about making a return to a really good team and the expectations that come.”
However, even if Tatum is inching closer to a return, he won’t play for the Celtics until he knows he’s the player he was before he got hurt.
“What I was told over the weekend, though, is that Jayson Tatum has made it clear to people around him that he wants to come back when he feels like he’s Jayson Tatum,” Charania said.
“Not if he’s a shell of himself. Not if he’s a lesser percentage of himself, so when he’s 100% confident with his leg, with his body, that he’s going to be able to be himself, and when he’s 100% clear from the Celtics’ medical staff, that is when he will make his return. It remains to be seen whether that will come this season.”
“He wants to come back when he feels like he’s Jayson Tatum.”@shamscharania shares an update on the Celtics star’s recovery ✍️ pic.twitter.com/yQqiT3zpEz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 9, 2026
It helps that the Celtics’ play this season hasn’t added much urgency for Tatum to return, as they haven’t taken too big a step back in his absence. However, the latest update from the Celtics that Tatum will be assigned to practice with the Maine Celtics, the G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics, seemingly indicates his return is happening sooner rather than later.
Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.
Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 9, 2026
All indications are that Tatum will be wearing a Celtics jersey this season before it’s all said and done. If and when he does, Boston has some mixing and matching to do. They’ve been consistently good overall this season, so while re-inserting Tatum is an obvious move, the challenge will be whose minutes get slashed to make room for him.
