Celtics Reportedly ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Jayson Tatum Returns from Injury in 2025-26

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum might not be out for the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles after all.

“The Celtics have not ruled him out,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported during a Thursday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (1:08 mark). “I think the Celtics are cautiously optimistic. Clearly, Jayson Tatum has a goal in his mind that he wants to play.”

Tatum suffered the injury during Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks on May 12. Given the year-plus recovery process for many Achilles injuries, it was fair to assume he would not be available for the upcoming season.

Along those lines, Charania noted Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard—who also suffered their Achilles injuries in the playoffs—will both miss the 2025-26 campaign.

However, all indications are that Tatum is further ahead in his recovery process.

Last month, the Duke product posted a video that showed he was already back and working out on the court, which drew a response from Kevin Durant:

Durant understands this recovery process better than most, as he ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals and missed the entire ensuing season. Boston notably announced Tatum underwent surgery the very next day after the injury, which could be a contributing factor for what might be a quick return.

For his part, Tatum said on First Take last month, “First thing, I haven’t said I’m not playing this season. The most important thing is a full recovery. And I’m not rushing it … at all. But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”

Getting Tatum back could drastically alter the outlook of Boston’s season after it lost Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford this offseason. It is difficult to feel too optimistic about the team’s chances after losing so much firepower, but Tatum is one of the league’s best players and could provide quite the boost ahead of the playoffs.

Yet the team’s position in the standings will surely go a long way toward determining whether Tatum will return. The last thing the team wants to do is bring back the franchise cornerstone too early for a team that is struggling to even remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

It is a fluid situation at this point, but nobody is ruling Tatum out for 2025-26.

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