Jayson Tatum Set for Celtics Return After Achilles Injury, Latest on Debut vs. Cooper Flagg, Mavs

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is officially available to play on Friday after recovering from a ruptured Achilles.

Most assumed Tatum's 2025-26 NBA season ended before it began after he tore his Achilles in last year's playoffs.

The Celtics certainly operated like a franchise taking a step backward. They traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis as part of a concerted effort to lower their payroll and set themselves up better in 2026-27.

But Boston has overachieved and is a serious threat to win the Eastern Conference like nothing at all has changed. The team is 41-21 and second in standings.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Tatum continued to leave the door open on a return this year. On Wednesday, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported it was pretty much inevitable.

As much as fans are understandably excited by the idea of the six-time All-Star suiting up ahead of the postseason, it's important to keep expectations in check.

Tatum will have to shake off the rust and play his way back into game shape in the midst of the stretch run. There's no way he's going to immediately be the same player he was before he got injured.

Paul George might be a helpful comparison in this regard.

George fractured his leg while representing Team USA during the 2014 offseason. He played the Indiana Pacers' final six games in 2014-15 but came off the bench as a reserve, averaging 8.8 points in 15.2 minutes per contest.

Coach Joe Mazzulla may be similarly cautious with Tatum once the 6'8" forward gets the green light.

As much as the Celtics want to win another title, the franchise has to keep one eye on the future. Jeopardizing Tatum's long-term health in pursuit of results right now isn't worth it.

The biggest thing his comeback might achieve is preparing him mentally and physically for opening night this coming fall.