Celtics' Jayson Tatum Doesn't Rule Out Achilles Injury Return During 2025-26 Season

Jayson Tatum still has a long road to recovery ahead of him after suffering a torn Achilles in May, but the Boston Celtics star isn't ruling out a comeback this season.

Tatum said on ESPN's First Take on Tuesday that he could be back at some point during the 2025-26 campaign.

"First thing, I haven't said I'm not playing this season," Tatum said.

He added that while he's not necessarily rushing the process, he is doing everything he can to expedite his rehab.

"The most important thing is a full recovery. And I'm not rushing it ... at all," Tatum said. "But also, I don't go to rehab six days a week for nothing."

Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks on May 12 and underwent successful surgery the following day.

Amid his recovery, Tatum told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that he participated in a 20-minute on-court workout on Monday. It marks the first time he's been on the court since tearing his Achilles.

Tatum's surgeon, Dr. Martin O'Malley, also told People that the Celtics star's rehab progress has been impressive.

A month and a half after the surgery, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tatum had gotten off to a speedy recovery.

"He's actually progressed great, but I don't know what that means in regard to projected timelines," Stevens said. "But that will be in consultation with him … and everybody else to make sure when he hits the court, he is fully ready, and fully healthy. And that will be the priority."

Heavy Sports' Steve Bulpett reported in August that one scout said Tatum looks "way ahead" in his recovery and was "shocked to see how well he was moving."

Tatum has been an iron man for most of his career, avoiding any serious injuries and remaining available in the postseason. At the time of his torn Achilles in May, Tatum had played 706 regular season and playoff games since being drafted in 2017, the most of any NBA player during that period.

He had never missed a playoff game until the first round of the 2024-25 postseason when he missed a contest against the Orlando Magic because of a wrist injury. He's played 64 or more games every year of his career and has played 74 or more games in each of the past four seasons.

Unfortunately, Tatum's stretch of injury luck ended with his torn Achilles.

Tatum once again had an All-NBA worthy season in 2024-25. He averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while leading the Celtics to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

The recent injury is a major setback for Tatum, but the 27-year-old is still in the prime of his career and should be able to return to the best version of himself after rehabbing.

Both he and the Celtics hope that he'll be able to do so at some point this season.