Boston Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum was reportedly considering sitting out the rest of the 2025-26 season. The Celtics’ star tore his Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks last year. He has not featured since.
The Celtics entered into a light rebuild in the 2025-26 offseason, trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the summer to avoid the second apron of the league’s luxury tax. Despite that, the Celtics currently sit second in the Eastern Conference.
Jayson Tatum’s Latest Injury Update Is Good News for the Celtics
Following reports that Tatum may consider sitting out the rest of the 2025-26 season, ESPN insider Shams Charania gave a major update on the Celtics’ star. The Celtics are currently in the middle of a key Eastern Conference clash against the Knicks.
“Really good sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled 5 on 5 scrimmaging with coaches. He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. There are more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check, there’s more phases in his rebab, he’s gotta practice with the team of course.” Charania revealed.
Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown — the latest on Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s rehab: pic.twitter.com/hjtj2PsLoj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
Additionally, the NBA insider commented on the difficulty of returning to a team with extremely high playoff aspirations. The Celtics are currently second in the Eastern Conference and have a very good chance of reaching the playoffs this year. Tatum himself has spoken about the same.
“They would have played 50-some odd games without me. They have an identity this year, things they’ve felt that have clicked for them. It’s been successful. There’s a thought in my head. How does that look with me integrating myself after an injury?” Tatum said on The Pivot Podcast last month.
Following the NBA trade deadline, the Celtics continued to work on their salary cap situation. The Celtics traded Chris Boucher and Denver’s 2027 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz and sent Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets.
Additionally, before the NBA trade deadline, the Celtics acquired Nikola Vučević and a future second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Anfernee Simons. Vucevic has averaged 16.8 points this season.
“Obviously this summer we had to get under the second apron. Every basketball reason in the world for that, and it was the right thing to do. The directive at this trade deadline was, let’s see if we can find some size,” general manager Brad Stevens explained.
“He’s hit a lot of the thresholds, he’s doing more and more and will continue to do more and more. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not going to be any of us saying, ‘Well, why don’t you just take another week?’ It’s going to be: When he’s ready, he’s ready.” Stevens also shared his thoughts on Jayson Tatum’s return.
There is no guarantee that Tatum will return this year. However, it is an optimistic update for the Celtics as they approach the business end of the year. Currently, the Celtics’ number one priority is making sure he is 110%.
