BOSTON – Dozens of media members crowded around the practice court's baseline at the Auerbach Center on Friday morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who was officially upgraded to questionable after being listed out (due to an Achilles rupture) for the Green team's first 62 games of the 2025-26 campaign. However, Tatum remained in the weight room and largely out of sight of the many cameras aimed at him.
Jayson Tatum talks to Derrick White while working out at the Auerbach Center: pic.twitter.com/LZUnypLOOa
- Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026
Celtics wing Sam Houser was the journeyman in the media arena. He was immediately mobbed by reporters eager for any updates on Tatum ahead of the Celtics' Friday night showdown with the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Although Houser didn't say whether Tatum would play in less than 12 hours, he did praise him.
"Obviously he's a really great player, great guy," he told the media. “He does a lot of things on the basketball court that are very difficult, but he makes it look really easy.”
Sam Hauser on Jayson Tatum and what he could add to the Celtics this season:
“He takes a lot of things on the basketball court that are hard, and makes them look very easy.” pic.twitter.com/wuOsnvHs5c
- Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026
Without Tatum, the Celtics have posted a 41–21 record and are in second place in the Eastern Conference. These facts alone make it an impressive season for the C's, but as always, they want a ring - and for that they need their missing piece.
"We only have 20 games left, so whenever that happens, it's going to be a quick process," Hauser said of reinserting Tatum into the lineup. "And as much grace as you want for that, we really don't have that luxury."
Returning from an Achilles injury is no joke in the NBA, and returning so late in the regular season presents another unique challenge. However, Hauser was not too concerned about acclimating Tatum.
"He's been around [practice]So I think he'll be able to fit right in," he said. "We'll be able to fit around him."
There is no precedent for a second-place team adding a six-time All-Star to its roster in the midst of a playoff push. Hauser, like many of his peers, welcomed the relatively new obstacle.
He said, "We all have to figure it out right away, and it's a good thing for us to solve the problem whenever it comes up, and sort things out on our own." "But I think, overall, it's positive."
For now, Tatum is still questionable, but it's worth noting that he said months ago that he planned to come back from the injury at home. Following Friday's home game against the Mavericks, the Celtics will embark on a three-game road trip and will not return to Beantown until March 14.
Whether or not Tatum returns home soon, or whether he gets back on the court at all, won't affect Hauser's high opinion of him.
“He's humble in who he is, his approach every day,” Hauser complimented. "He works hard, gets himself treated, he's a good person, he's a good father. I think that says a lot more than just the player."
