Celtics' Jayson Tatum Updates Achilles Injury Rehab, Return Timeline Amid 2026 NBA All-Star Break
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum discussed his recovery from a ruptured Achilles in a Tuesday social media post.
"I've really grown to appreciate this journey I've been on and allow time for me to pat myself on the back for showing up everyday!" Tatum wrote as part of a post on X.
The six-time All-Star told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that he still hasn't made a decision regarding a potential comeback during the 2025-26 season.
Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Boston's second-round playoff defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks in May 2025.
On Feb. 8, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tatum started "controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches" as he made progress in his rehab.
Charania also noted that the 27-year-old was looking to come back "not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself."
The next day, the Celtics assigned Tatum to the G League's Maine Celtics so that he could participate in portions of the team's practice before he was recalled.
If he's able to return this season, it isn't hard to imagine him providing a boost to a Boston squad that has exceeded expectations to open its 2025-26 campaign. The Celtics currently hold the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 35-19 record.
Tatum's potential presence may also raise the postseason ceiling of a Celtics squad that has won at least one playoff series in each of the past four years.
He averaged 26.8 points and 8.7 rebounds to go along with a career-high 6.0 assists per game last season, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from behind the arc.
