標籤: Tatum

The Boston Celtics got some terrible news about their top star just hours before a do-or-die Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Celtics 2025-26 season could surprisingly end in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs if they can’t figure out how to slow down the 76ers in the last two games and get a win at home tonight. Although they struggled in Games 5 and 6, there are still many who think they can pull out a win in Game 7.

However, the prospects for doing so have become increasingly difficult. According to Chris Haynes, “Jason Tatum has been downgraded to questionable for Game 7 tonight because he is dealing with knee stiffness.”

This is terrible news for Boston at the worst time. Still, it’s something the team should be concerned about in the long term, too. In recent days, there has been discussion about Tatum dealing with calf strain. Which makes sense because he made a surprisingly quick return to the floor from a torn Achilles in early March.

However, his knee problems are unexpected. Is this due to overcompensation as he builds confidence in his surgically repaired tendon? Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both suffered similar injuries during last year’s playoffs, and the pair missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Being doubtful does not mean that he will not be able to play Saturday’s match. However, the Celtics have lost by double digits in each of the last two games the six-time All-Star has been on the floor. It’s hard to imagine that they’ll be able to overcome a fully healthy Philly team without him tonight.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

BOSTON — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was flying high and feeling heroic in June 2024 as he helped the Green team end a 16-year title drought and celebrated with a championship parade that he described as one of the greatest experiences of his life. After about a year, it was all over. The six-time All-Star suffered an Achilles injury during the 2025 NBA Playoffs in May and was robbed of his super power: excelling in the game he loves.

An advertisement from director James Gunn superman The film depicts this tragic decline brilliantly. Tatum starred in a promotional piece that aired during the 2025 postseason and wore the iconic “S” on his chest, tying to the feelings of hope and invincibility that Superman is famous for. In fact, the lead excerpt of the ad asked if Tatum could eventually fill in and become Superman:

Jayson Tatum to star in new James Gunn commercial #superman pic.twitter.com/Q4z4OqITDl

– Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) 8 May 2025

Unfortunately, Tatum’s untimely injury showed that he was not super-human after all, and Warner Bros. pulled the ad after his Achilles tear.

Jayson Tatum’s journey from hero to human and back again

Unlike the caped hero above, Tatum doesn’t have the luxury of being invincible. Given the fact that he had never missed more than 18 games in a single season until this year, he may have deceived the fans to some extent, however, his injury and the grueling rehab process that came with it reminded them that he is vulnerable.

“I didn’t know what it was going to be like,” Tatum said Sunday night after his recent return to the game. “You just want to be Jason Tatum and feel like yourself again. I’m not Superman, so obviously it’s going to take some time.”

Since walking out of the tunnel at TD Garden on March 6 to confirm his return from injury, Tatum has played brilliantly. He has scored in double figures in all eight of his contests this season and the Celtics have gone 6-2 when he has been in the starting lineup.

Jayson Tatum ran out of the TD Garden tunnel with the Jays thundering: pic.twitter.com/TJt8pnpOym

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

However, that doesn’t mean his comeback has been seamless. The 2024 NBA champions shot less than 40% from the field during Sunday’s 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and struggled in the first half before looking like themselves in the final 24 minutes of action.

“This is the first time I’ve been through something like this,” he said in the locker room. “I mean, it’s been a long time. It’s been a long time since I could shoot a basketball, before I could walk. So, just game by game, trying to knock the rust off. I’m getting great spurts and moments game by game and I’m trying to put more of them together.”

When he’s in true “Superman” form, Tatum is tearing up defenses with his passing, leaping for rebounds, and blasting past opponents like a speeding bullet. He had moments in March — including his 24-point performance against the Golden State Warriors or his clutch bucket in transition against the Phoenix Suns — when it seemed as if he had never been injured.

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum’s progress and the Celtics’ overall play tonight:

“He’s rebounding at a high level on both ends of the floor, playing at a fast pace, screening, making two-on-one reads.”

“He’s playing with a smile on his face.” pic.twitter.com/OnxFnFYM9X

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 19 March 2026

But, despite his gifts, Tatum has still experienced some parts where he looks a lot like Clark Kent, Superman’s human alter ego who can’t fly in the public eye. He missed 12 of his 15 shots in a tough win over the Memphis Grizzlies and, most recently, failed to find the bottom of the net in the first two quarters against the T-Wolves.

“It’s only my eighth game, so still trying to get a feel for it,” Tatum said.

Why does Jayson Tatum deserve patience?

While Tatum’s occasional struggles may be frustrating for Celtics fans, one detail of Superman lore is worth remembering: Clark Kent is still Superman. Superman’s suave, bespectacled face isn’t as much fun as him wearing a blue, red and yellow suit and flying through the sky, but he’s still the same person – and he’s still heroic.

This applies to Tatum because although the 4-time All-NBA First Teamer hasn’t always been at his best since suiting up again, it takes an almost super-human amount of strength to see the floor once again in less than 300 days from a painful injury.

“I had the worst injury I possibly could and I came back 10 months later [I’m] “Every game is getting a better experience,” he revealed.

So, even though Tatum may look more akin to Kent than Kal-El, remember what he had to go through to get to this point and that playing like a superstar after an Achilles rupture isn’t as easy as turning into a phone booth.

“I wanted to be perfect and like first-team All-NBA Jayson Tatum,” Tatum said, snapping his fingers. “But it will take time. I didn’t rush the rehab process, so I can’t rush it.”

Tatum could soon don his cape when the Celtics host the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who have won 12 consecutive games, on Wednesday night. But even if the 28-year-old has trouble against the league’s best team, it’s worth noting that progress in the NBA is rarely linear. There are often a lot of ups and downs involved, and Tatum may have to stumble again before he can really take off.

“It’s all going to work out,” he said.

The fact that Jayson Tatum returned to the hardwood for the Boston Celtics even a year after rupturing his Achilles in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is such a huge win not only for the Celtics, but for the entire game. Tatum obviously isn’t fully back yet, but his mere presence makes the Celtics a more dangerous team than ever during the 2025-26 season.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Tatum’s return, as it had been rumored for almost the entire season that he might make his highly anticipated return sooner than many expected. But in his absence, Jaylen Brown has stepped up to become the team’s undisputed alpha, and he has more than risen to the occasion – averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 55 games before Tatum’s return.

With Tatum out for so long, he needed to get back on the same page to help propel the Celtics to bigger and better things. That’s exactly what they did with Brown and Tatum close together He has his eyes on the same prize.

“It was great. The initial conversation, having that communication. … It’s important to be able to get back on the same page, but it’s going to take more communication as the year goes on. Things change, we got adversity, ups and downs. We just let it be me and you,” Brown told Vince Carter and the rest of the NBC crew.

Both of them have the responsibility of leading the team as co-stars and they have done it in the past. But the Celtics star refused to be satisfied just because they won a title just two years ago.

“Our communication sets the tone for the rest of the team. We both have to step up if we want this to work,” Brown said.

“We just said it would be me and you.”

Jaylen Brown talked about a meeting he had with Jayson Tatum and the rest of the Celtics team before Tatum returned to action. pic.twitter.com/tJvVgwoP9V

– NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) 22 March 2026

BOSTON — Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce grew up in downtown Los Angeles and was even a Lakers fan as a kid, but he didn’t hesitate to call Beantown home on Sunday afternoons.

“It’s always good to be back here,” he said, standing at the TD Garden after the Causeway Classic, a fan event presented by Ticketmaster. “This is home, so to be able to give back to the fans every time I come out, for what they’ve been able to do to support me in my career, it means a lot. At times like these you remember what you left for this building, for the city. And so I enjoy it every time.”

Back at the TD Garden I asked Paul Pierce:

“It’s home so to be able to give back to the fans every time I come out, for what they’ve been able to do to support me in my career, it means a lot. In times like these, you’re reminded of what you left in this building, for the city.” pic.twitter.com/T1LcMXGKIr

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 22 March 2026

Like Pierce, Boston wasn’t always home to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

They were born elsewhere, yet unfamiliarity was not the only reason they were initially hesitant to embrace the city. Tatum, like Pierce, grew up a Lakers fan and dreamed that the Celtics’ hated rival would select him in the draft. Brown, meanwhile, was booed by Celtics fans on his draft night nearly 10 years ago for reasons beyond his control.

Despite these difficult introductions to Boston, Pierce has helped bridge the gap. As Tatum and Brown became superstars, the 2008 NBA Finals MVP supported them from afar and got to know them up close whenever he visited New England or when the Celtics traveled to LA.

“I’ve been happy for him since day one,” Pearce told ClutchPoints. “I’m always coming over and whenever they’re in Los Angeles, I try to watch their workouts… It’s just a brotherhood, no matter what the age difference is.”

The TD Garden crowd goes crazy for Paul Pierce (who is wearing gear from Jaylen Brown’s clothing line). pic.twitter.com/btTiFmEwAI

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 23 October 2025

Pierce is not the first Celtic to link up with the next generation of Green Teamers. He recalled that when he was playing more than a decade ago, Celtics legends like Bob Cousy and Jo Jo White would come to team practices. Those gestures did not go unnoticed, as Pierce said they were important to keeping the Celtics’ historic, winning culture alive.

“A lot of the former players were much older than me, but they always found a way to move forward and I try to do the same,” he said. “I try to maintain the heritage of Celtic culture by getting back into sports whenever I can.”

In addition to appearing in support of Tatum and Brown, Pierce has also spoken out. Whenever Boston’s dynamic duo draws the ire of the media — whether it’s in the form of arguments over fantasy chemistry issues or the constant comparison of the two stars — Pierce supports his guys.

“When I see things that I don’t think are right, I always call them out in the media because I feel like Boston players don’t get their due for the most part,” he revealed. “Brown not being in the Olympics, Tatum not getting minutes – I’m always advocating for them and rooting for them and fighting for them.”

It’s safe to say that Paul Pierce is excited to see Jayson Tatum play again:

“That’s bullshit. The ex is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let’s figure it out.”

(via @paulpierce34 on IG) pic.twitter.com/Fzp1s576Wx

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Following their victory in a friendly 3-point contest on Garden Parquette as part of the Causeway Classic, Pierce will probably stick around to watch his pupils take the same floor in a few hours when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. And it doesn’t matter if Pierce is sitting in a luxury suite or courtside, don’t be surprised if he gets to his feet to cheer on Tatum and Brown.

“I love seeing these guys succeed,” he said.

As Jayson Tatum recovered from his Achilles injury, every NBA superstar praised him. For Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, his reaction was no different.

That is his makeup. This is his DNA. That’s his perspective,” Booker said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter). “Someone I’ve looked up to for a really long time since he was in 6th and 7th grade.

“I’m watching him grow into a champion. What he’s accomplished at such a young age is inspiring, even if it’s small. I’m happy to see him back out there.”

When Tatum first came out with an injury, many thought he would not return for the season. But as time progressed, it began to look more likely that the Boston Celtics forward would make his season debut in 2025-26.

But a few weeks ago, he was watching the Celtics beat the Suns 97-81 on Feb. 24. Now, Tatum will face off against Phoenix for the first time all year.

Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum share mutual respect

Both players were part of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team that captured the gold medal. Although Tatum didn’t get a lot of playing time, being a part of a roster like this is quite an accomplishment.

Booker, meanwhile, was the unsung MVP for that team, and something that the Boston star could have been for an Olympic team one day.

Either way, the focus remains on the 2025-26 season, and where the Celtics have a legitimate chance to win the Eastern Conference and make a run for an NBA championship.

If Dejounte Murray and Jayson Tatum are any indication, an Achilles injury is no longer as career-threatening as it once was. Both Murray and Tatum are looking great upon their returns after long absences caused by rupturing their Achilles tendons; East, in particular, has shined for the New Orleans Pelicans and at least given them hope that they can bounce back next year amid a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.

Murray is coming off a 35-point night in a close loss to the Houston Rockets, and he was efficient too, making 14 of his 18 field-goal attempts on the night. Tatum’s shooting isn’t far behind, but he shot 20-14-7 in his latest outing.

While all fans are seeing is the result of their hard work, Murray had to emphasize that his and his partner Achilles’ path to survival is not as easy as it makes it out to be. During the rehab process, it appears that the bond he has formed with Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who is also rehabbing, has made it at least a little easier — as seen this exchange Under one of Murray’s posts on Instagram.

Achilles It’s great to see people supporting each other man pic.twitter.com/ndIZGPUMDi

– JB (@lockedupjb) 15 March 2026

Dejounte Murray, Jayson Tatum are signs of hope for Tyrese Haliburton

Murray was out for over a year recovering from injury and all that time spent on the sidelines must have been very tough for a man who likes the game early. Tatum is an anomaly, as he returned to play less than a year after rupturing his Achilles. But he seems excited for a Celtics team with new title hopes.

This gives so much hope for the Indiana Pacers that Haliburton can provide a similar response after his much-anticipated return. The Pacers are hoping to pick up where they left off in the 2025 NBA Finals upon Haliburton’s return, and the success stories of Murray and Tatum suggest it’s indeed within the realm of possibility.

On Thursday evening, the Boston Celtics will take on the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a tough matchup. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard are suffering from various illnesses. Here’s everything we know about the injury status of Boston’s three most important players.

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Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard’s playing status vs. OKC

Jayson Tatum is currently listed as questionable on the injury report for the Thunder matchup due to ongoing Achilles injury management. Tatum has played in three games since returning from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs, and so far has performed about as well as fans have expected. Some have theorized that Boston may have kept him out of Thunder games to avoid playing against Lou Dort, who has gained a reputation for injuring opposing star players.

Peyton Pritchard is listed as probable for Boston due to neck spasms after missing his last game against the San Antonio Spurs, while Derrick White is considered questionable with a right knee injury.

Meanwhile, for the Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein will be out of the lineup with a left calf injury, with Jalen Williams also out with a strained right hamstring.

The Celtics are currently ranked number two in the Eastern Conference, and have been playing well since Tatum’s return last week. In their last game against the Spurs, Boston saw star Jaylen Brown controversially ejected in the first half, and despite ultimately putting up a valiant effort, they ran out of gas during the game.

They will need all the help they can get against defending champions Thunder, who are back in form after a brief spell of trouble earlier this season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET.

While much of the conversation surrounding the Boston Celtics-San Antonio Spurs contest focused on Jaylen Brown’s ejection, Jayson Tatum turned some of his attention to another call. Or in this case a non-call. And that included Victor Vembanyama.

At one point during the game, the Celtics star went into the lane to get a bucket. As the ball passed through the hoop, Wemby gave Tatum a slight push. There was no foul play.

Tatum minced no words in describing the incident.

Jayson Tatum scores a basket and then Victor Wembanyama pushes it in, it’s interesting.

🤔 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gRQb7SzU5P

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

“I mean, there was definitely a talk about it between me and the ref. I was like, how did you not see it!”

Tatum’s comments came just minutes later and in the same locker room spot where teammate Derrick White called two technical fouls on Brown “bullsh*t.”

“I said so on the way back.” Tatum continued his comments. “Yeah, I stopped talking and just went back into the crowd.”

“I said so, didn’t you really see him?”⬇️

The Jaylen Brown ejection wasn’t the only call (or lack of one) that got the Celtics heated after last night’s loss #spurs

-Jason Tatum answers question about Wembley initiating contact, but not being whistled on Tatum lay-up pic.twitter.com/Ghk5cjbZNv

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 11 March 2026

In his third game of the year, due to an Achilles injury suffered during the playoffs, Tatum scored a season-high 24 at the Alamo City. Vembanyama scored the highest score of 39 points in the game.

Jayson Tatum reacts to Jaylen Brown’s firing

Tatum’s thoughts on the drama involving Wembley come after he shared his thoughts on Brown’s firing.

“I disagreed with that. They made a big deal about prime-time games and the stars playing and being available. You definitely got a push, and it probably wasn’t very good at first. The emotions are here, so I can tell you, you have to understand a nationally televised game between the best teams in the league. When you make a big deal about the stars playing and being available, you make everybody want to finish the game. So, I disagree with that.”

Tatum, who has held the position for the past six seasons, was the Celtics’ leading scorer last year, admitting he felt the need to do more. However, in reality, he could do very little with half the competition watching on the bench.

When the four-time All-NBA First Team selection was asked if he was ready for 35 minutes per night, down from about 27 minutes per outing, “I can play more.”

“But, I understand the bigger picture,” Tatum continued. “Right now, I’m not thinking about my soreness. I mean, I’m trying to compete, I’m trying to be out there, but it’s part of the plan, so I have to stick with it.”

The third overall pick in 2017 saw the court for 24 minutes in a 125–116 loss to the Spurs.

“I feel good,” Tatum said after helping Boston keep it close against a team that has won 16 of 17 contests, including this one.

“You have to give them credit,” the former Duke star said of the Spurs. “They made some plays, they hit some big shots. I felt like we missed some shots that we normally make. We competed to the end. Guys stepped up in a big way.”

“They’re a fun team to watch,” Tatum continued about San Antonio, “They’re very competitive, and you can see why they’ve had such a good season.”

The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are set for one of the biggest matchups of the season on Thursday evening. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, remain in the West standings as the regular season campaign concludes. Meanwhile, the Celtics are business as usual, with Jaylen Brown elevating his play to an MVP-caliber level. But the highly anticipated clash comes with a worrying injury report for the Celtics.

The Celtics released their injury report, with Jayson Tatum and Derrick White both questionable for the matchup. While White is dealing with a right knee injury, Tatum is managing his comeback from his right Achilles injury. While Tatum and White haven’t been completely ruled out, both of their losses could be a blow to the Celtics as they look to take on the reigning NBA champions.

Tatum has been effective in his return from his Achilles injury. Although obviously not putting up his typical MVP stats, he still averaged 19.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He stepped up in a big way for Boston on Tuesday after Jaylen Brown exited the game late in the second quarter. Tatum had 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 125–116 loss in 27 minutes of play.

White has been a constant in the Celtics lineup. Playing 63 games this season, he has averaged 17.5 points, 5.7 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. With both White and Tatum out of the lineup, getting a win in Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City could be a tough task.

Jayson Tatum criticized officiating after the Boston Celtics’ 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, calling the refs “trigger happy” after teammate Jaylen Brown was ejected early in the game.

Brown was ejected after receiving two technical fouls during the contest, limiting the Celtics star to just 15 minutes of action. Tatum, who recently returned from an Achilles tear last spring, addressed the situation after the game.

“I disagree with that. You know, the NBA makes a big deal about prime time games and stars playing and being available… He was definitely pushed and maybe the first tech was necessary, the emotions were too high.”

Tatum continued to raise questions over the timing of his ejection during the nationally televised matchup.

“National TV game, the two best teams in the league and you make a big deal about the stars playing and you’re happy to take someone out of the game. I disagree with that.”

Brown’s frustration began after a sequence in which he believed he was fouled out of bounds by Spurs guard Stephen Cassel. After the game, Brown confronted crew chief Tyler Ford by pointing at him, causing the first technical foul.

“National TV game, the two best teams in the league and you make a big deal about the stars playing and you’re happy to take someone out of the game. I disagree with that.”

Jayson Tatum on Jaylen Brown’s ejection at Celtics-Spurs last nightpic.twitter.com/dzbBeYlm9v https://t.co/CjynsnpBNR

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

The Celtics guard remained visibly upset and argued with officials as teammates attempted to calm him down. Umpire Suyyash Mehta later assessed a second technical foul, resulting in Brown being sent off.

Officials explain Jaylen Brown’s removal because Jayson Tatum disagreed

Brown finished the night with eight points, seven assists, two rebounds and one steal while making 4 of 8 shots from the field.

Ford later explained the officiating team’s decision in the league’s pool report.

“(The first technical was) for aggressively gesturing and using profanity and outrage without a call,” Ford said in the pool report, via NBA insider Brett Siegel for ClutchPoints. “(The second technical was called because) he aggressively approached a game official, pointing and using profanity.”

Tatum, playing his third game back from injury, led Boston with 24 points while adding five rebounds, two assists and two steals. The 27-year-old shot 10 of 24 from the field and 4 of 14 from three-point range in 27 minutes.

Despite Tatum’s efforts, Boston was unable to overcome Brown’s absence for most of the game. The loss dropped the Celtics to 43–22 on the season.

Boston will try to regroup on Thursday night when it concludes its three-game road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who enter the matchup with a 51-15 record. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET on Prime Video.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum had to wait nearly 300 days to play in an NBA game after rupturing his Achilles in May. So, it is safe to say that he is enjoying life on the court, especially since his remarkable comeback has seen C go 2-0 up.

On Sunday afternoon, Tatum and company picked up a 109-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. The six-time All-Star finished with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists in a nearly wire-to-wire win. And although Tatum missed seven of his nine attempts from deep, he nailed a wide-open triple with just 1:59 remaining in the fourth quarter to seal the Cavs’ first season sweep of the Celtics since the 2019-2020 campaign.

The Celtics are up by 9 and need to stop the bleeding…who else but Jayson Tatum

He still has to work on some things, but his confidence remains intact. When he saw an open space he called Ball without hesitation:
pic.twitter.com/XWtXgHnlyz

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 8 March 2026

“I can’t stress it enough, I’m just happy to be here and playing with the guys on the team, competing, making plays, making mistakes,” Tatum told ESPN’s Jorge Sedano in an interview after the game.

While Tatum continued to embrace regular season momentum, fellow Celtics star Jaylen Brown recorded a team-high 23 points with nine rebounds and eight assists. Boston’s third-leading scorer on the day was point guard Peyton Pritchard, who scored 18 points off the bench while shooting 58.3% from the field.

These were pretty normal outings for Brown and Pritchard, so Tatum wasn’t surprised by what they were able to do with the contending Cavs.

Tatum described Brown and Pritchard, saying, “They’ve been playing great all season.” “It’s been fun to watch from the sideline, and, like I said, I’m happy to be out there playing with them.”

to jayson tatum @celery About Jaylen Brown and Peyton Pritchard:

“They’ve been playing great all season. It’s been fun to watch from the sideline, and, like I said, I’m happy playing with them.” pic.twitter.com/eHq3sPwLQP

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 8 March 2026

With Tatum sidelined, the Celtics managed to go an impressive 41-21 this season. They now improve to 43-21 overall and are benefiting from his arrival on the court and in the standings, as the Celtics are 2.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference.

However, the Pistons hold the tiebreaker over the Celtics. Also, the C’s may have to face the league’s two best teams in consecutive games. They are now in Texas to meet the San Antonio Spurs 47-17 on Tuesday night and will soon have to fly to Oklahoma to take on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday evening.

Regardless of the final scores of those games, Tatum is glad to be back doing what he loves.

“Very happy to be here,” Tatum reiterated with a smile Sunday.

The Boston Celtics have their superstar back in the lineup. Jayson Tatum was out of action for 10 months after suffering an Achilles injury, but a major recovery effort from the injury has allowed the Boston All-Star to return to the lineup.

With today being International Women’s Day, Jayson Tatum was asked about his mother’s influence on him:

“Often, I look up, and I see her in the crowd, she was just crying. Obviously, she was with me the whole way.

“So, for me, getting back on the court, obviously… pic.twitter.com/4dVzVnpcJ2

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 8 March 2026

They made their return on Friday with a win over the Dallas Mavericks and they played their second game on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. The hard-working Celtics dominated the game and won 109–98. They led by 26 points in the third quarter before head coach Joe Mazzulla’s team put them on cruise control.

Tatum played a key role in the win as he scored 20 points in 27 minutes of action. Fellow superstar Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points.

Tatum’s mother Brandi Cole attended the game on International Women’s Day, and she credited him with playing a key role in his rise to prominence with the Celtics, as well as his comeback this year.

According to Celtics writer Bobby Krivitsky, Tatum said after the game, “Oftentimes, I look up, and I see her in the crowd, she was just crying.” “Just because, obviously, she was with me the whole way. So, for me to be back on the court, obviously makes my mom very happy, and to look up there and see her in the crowd is an incredible feeling.”

Tatum and the Celtics are back in action on Tuesday when they play another road game against the San Antonio Spurs. They remain on the road and meet the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

On Sunday afternoon, the Boston Celtics continued their winning ways with a relatively comfortable road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the second game back from an Achilles injury for star Jayson Tatum, who scored 20 points in a defensive clinic for Boston.

Before tipoff, Cavs star James Harden hugged Tatum as he took the stage, and ESPN cameras caught Harden’s kind message to the Celtics star.

“Proud of you, brother. Congratulations,” said Harden, formerly of Ax, on Twitter, according to SportsCenter.

“Proud of you brother. Congratulations.” ❤️

James Harden makes a great gesture towards Jayson Tatum before the game as he completes his return from his Achilles injury 🙌 pic.twitter.com/f8nj1VUNed

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 8 March 2026

Tatum completed one of the quickest recoveries from an Achilles injury the NBA has ever seen, suffered during Boston’s playoff loss to the New York Knicks last May.

In his absence this season, the Celtics have been one of the most surprising stories in the NBA, currently sitting in the number two spot in the Eastern Conference, with Jaylen Brown receiving some minor consideration for the league MVP award for his play so far this year.

However, any legitimate chance the Celtics have to compete for a second championship in the modern era depends on the health of Tatum, who has looked solid so far in his two games since returning from injury. Although efficiency and explosiveness will need some time to return, Tatum’s shooting form certainly looks smoother than before the setback, and he has shown little hesitation in putting the ball on the floor and looking for his shot.

He also looks to be able to move his feet relatively well on the defensive end of the floor, even though it may take him some time to fully regain his athletic ability and burst.

In any case, the Celtics will next take the field on Tuesday evening for a tough road game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Boston Celtics have played sensational basketball in that turnaround season, as superstar Jayson Tatum has recovered from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs. Tatum returned to the Celtics lineup in Friday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks and he also made a solid contribution in Sunday’s 109-98 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jayson Tatum on reintegrating with the Celtics:

“I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.”

“The hardest part for me is the minute restriction. That **** quite frankly sucks… Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

🎥:… https://t.co/qkqqRdjzYx pic.twitter.com/CKCKREnkkl

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 8 March 2026

Tatum scored 20 points and partnered with Jaylen Brown (23 points) in the win over the Cavs. Boston led by 20 points at halftime and increased it to 26 points in the second half, before the Celtics won by double digits in the fourth quarter. Tatum played 27 minutes in the game and made 6 of 16 shots from the floor.

Tatum is very pleased with the progress he has made in his return to the Celtics. “I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.” Tatum said After the game. “The hardest part for me is the one-minute restriction. This nonsense quite frankly sucks. Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

The Celtics have 18 games left in the regular season for Tatum to fully acclimate to this year’s team. He should be at full speed by the time the postseason starts.

Tatum has always been the Celtics’ primary scorer throughout his career, but fellow star Jaylen Brown has been the team’s leader this season. One of the keys for the Celtics is how Tatum and Brown play off of each other from this point forward.

In addition to the two stars, the Celtics are getting huge contributions from Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard, Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser.

Paolo Banchero praised Jayson Tatum after the Boston Celtics forward returned to action after suffering an Achilles injury during last year’s postseason.

Banchero shared the comments Saturday after leading the Orlando Magic to a 119-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 22-year-old forward finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists while shooting 10 of 18 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line in 35 minutes.

After the win, Banchero was asked about Tatum’s return to the court.

“It was great to see him out there. I just have to give him a lot of credit. I think his mentality was there from the beginning when he first got injured, I watched him over the summer and you could tell he was going to try to get back sooner than everyone thought. I didn’t know it would happen this season, but you could tell he was already working, even right after the injury.”

Banchero continued by emphasizing the challenge of returning from an Achilles injury and the impact of seeing Tatum back on the floor.

“So, it was great to see him out there and I think he’s an inspiration to everybody… Just for him to be completely recovered in front of the whole world and to come out and have a great game last night. It’s not easy to get over that injury, and I can only imagine how he had to deal with it mentally and all that stuff, but happy for him, man. Looking forward to getting down there against him. I think we’ll play Boston once again, see him in the playoffs, But yes, he is happy, for sure.”

Paolo Banchero praises Jayson Tatum as Celtics, Magic can meet again in playoffs

Tatum returned to the lineup in Boston’s 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, helping the Celtics improve to 42-21, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

In his first game, the 28-year-old recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal, while shooting 6-for-16 from the field and 3-for-8 from three-point range in 27 minutes.

Banchero and Tatum share a connection dating back to their college careers. Both players starred at Duke University before entering the NBA, with Tatum playing one season for the Blue Devils in 2016–17 and Banchero following a similar path during the 2021–22 season.

The Celtics and Magic also met in last year’s postseason, when Boston defeated Orlando in five games during the first round.

With the Magic currently positioned in the Eastern Conference play-in race, a postseason rematch is possible. Orlando improved to 34-28 with Saturday’s win and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth place and one game behind the Toronto Raptors for the fifth seed.

Orlando will conclude its two-game road trip on Sunday night when it visits the Milwaukee Bucks (26-35) at 8:00 pm ET.

The Boston Celtics are scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at 1 pm EST. Although Jayson Tatum finally returned from his Achilles injury in the club’s 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, we’re taking a look at Boston’s latest injury report to see if Tatum is there.

Tatum, who just turned 28, is not on the latest injury report for the Celtics’ contest against the Cavaliers. However, Nikola Vucevic (finger fracture) has been ruled out, while Baylor Scheierman (thumb fracture) is listed as available. The full report also includes John Tonje out due to his G League two-way contract.

“Nikola Vucevic – Out: right ring finger; fracture.
Baylor Scheierman – Available: Left thumb; fracture
John Tonje – Out: G League – Two Ways”

That means Jayson Tatum is set to play his second game of the 2025-26 campaign. His first appearance for the Celtics this season was quite successful. He finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while shooting 37.5% from the floor and 37.5% from beyond the three-point line.

It was a solid performance for the nine-year veteran. There were moments when it seemed like he was still shaking off the rust, but overall, it was a strong performance for Jayson Tatum. With Boston firmly in the Eastern Conference mix, Tatum has plenty of time to get things ready for the playoffs.

The timing of his return is ideal for the Celtics. Especially if Tatum can record career averages of 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. He will have a chance to get back to form on Sunday against the Cavaliers.

BOSTON – Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum showed us the highest levels of recovery from an Achilles rupture, posting clips of him running again, dunking again and smiling again. He was also transparent about the physical and mental impact of this lengthy rehabilitation process, whether it was discussing his internal doubts about whether or not he should return or showing the world how terrible his ankle looked after surgery.

What Jayson Tatum’s foot looked like at the beginning vs. the end of episode 3 of “The Quiet Work”: pic.twitter.com/le4zub0Eiw

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 2 March 2026

That authenticity and vulnerability continued after Tatum’s victorious homecoming at the TD Garden on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I was feeling really anxious,” Tatum revealed after his first game in nearly 300 days. “It has taken a long time to get to this point. Many nights and days I dreamed about this moment and the anticipation of the crowd. It has been 42 and a half weeks since I played in an NBA game.”

While the six-time All-Star could have played it cool, he gave real answers to the media and didn’t deny his nervousness.

“[I’m] Just trying to get caught up in the pace and everything,” he said. “I felt like I was a step behind or moving too fast.”

To start the game, Tatum failed to make his first six attempts from the field. A few shots fell short and one miss came when the 28-year-old missed an open dunk that would have sent the home crowd into frenzy:

The TD Garden crowd nearly exploded after this dunk attempt by Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/rir8iKFmwE

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Clearly, Tatum still needs some time to get his feet under him (literally and figuratively). In addition to shooting, the Celtics forward moved the ball well and posted a game-high five assists in the first half. Generating those points for your teammates helped them get involved and, in turn, things started getting better.

“As soon as I relaxed a little bit, the game started to slow down,” he said.

This isn’t even an exaggeration, as Tatum made five consecutive shots after missing his first six. He even improved on his botched dunk by slamming home a missed triple from point guard Peyton Pritchard:

GO GET IT JT 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Tf8rLI6zcE

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 7 March 2026

In a 120–100 win for the Celtics, Tatum finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists – just three assists short of a triple-double in his first NBA action since learning to walk again. And while he didn’t have a spotless offensive night, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t care.

“When he was 100% healthy, he had missed six shots in a row before, so I don’t think it really mattered,” he said. “What I liked is just his attitude and he continued to rebound. I thought he competed on the defensive end… I think he had three assists, two rebounds before he even took his first shot.”

What Jayson Tatum’s teammates and opponents thought about his comeback

Although Tatum is still not his usual self, the Celtics were happy to see him there, cheering him on from the bench and hugging him when he left the game.

“I appreciate him being able to put himself on the line a little bit to come back and be a part of something big,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown said in the locker room. “I think that’s his mentality. I appreciate it. I know the organization appreciates it because he didn’t have to do it and nobody pressured him, but he wanted to be there.”

If it was for tonight, what would be the start for Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/GqPRgXupfz

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Would Tatum like being 100% away from the field in his debut? Absolutely. But he understood why this was not realistic and stressed how fortunate he felt to be eligible for the green team again.

“When you take a long time off, you’re anxious, you want it really bad,” he said. “And, obviously, I wanted to hit every shot I took. But I was just really grateful. I had a real feeling of gratitude to get back on the floor and play basketball again, and it brought me back to everything I’ve gone through over the last 10 months, and the fact that I was even able to get there today was a really big win for me.”

The next phase of Tatum’s recovery process, which isn’t really over, takes place on the road. The Celtics have three games in a row against some of the best teams in the league: the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

To call this a litmus test would be taking it lightly. However, Tatum had already played 27 minutes against the Mavericks and despite his Achilles, he was not a kid at all.

This should be a good sign for the Celtics, and a bad sign for the rest of the NBA.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised him in his postgame press conference, “The pace he came back, the way he looked, coming off a serious injury, he looked good.” “As soon as he shakes off some of the rust, he makes the Celtics a contender and they had a tough year when he was rehabbing, so to get him back, they’re going to be a team that’s going to be tough to knock out.”

The Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Friday night in a game that held personal significance for rookie forward Cooper Flagg. While Dallas lost 120-100, that night meant more than the score for the 19-year-old Maine native, who played his first professional game in Boston against someone he has idolized for years, Jayson Tatum.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, received an unusual welcome during pregame introductions. Boston fans, who typically criticize opposing starters at TD Garden, instead greeted the rookie with loud cheers. This reaction surprised Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Many family members and friends from Maine were in attendance near the flag for the homecoming game.

Facing Tatum added emotional weight to the matchup. Flagg grew up watching the Celtics and followed Tatum’s development closely, including his college career at the Duke Blue Devils under coach John Scheyer. Flagg also played one season at Duke before entering the NBA.

“It was unbelievable. There’s a lot of levels to it,” Flagg said after the game when asked about playing against Tatum. “He’s someone I’ve idolized growing up, watching him come up through the ranks and ranks. I’ve watched him at Duke, and have been inspired to follow in his footsteps and play [Jon] Scheyer, and then obviously getting into the league is just unrealistic. It was really special for me to have this experience tonight.”

Sharing with Cooper Flagg/Tonight Jayson Tatum on the reception from the Boston/Maine crowd:

“There are so many levels to it. He’s a guy I idolized growing up…to see him at Duke and follow in his footsteps…it’s surreal. It’s really special for me to get this… pic.twitter.com/jq2CMbYptK

– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) 7 March 2026

The rookie finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes, but his efficiency wasn’t there, shooting 7 of 23 from the field and 0 of 4 from three-point range. He also committed three turnovers and had a minus-17 rating. The performance came just two games in after an eight-game absence due to a left medial sprain and returned for the second consecutive night.

Although his numbers were modest, Flagg continued to carry a heavy workload for Dallas. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward often serves as the team’s point-forward, running several offensive sets despite the Mavericks’ 21–42 record.

Tatum’s return to action was another major storyline. Playing his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon last May, he finished the night with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes, and shot 6 of 16 from the field.

Next, the Mavericks will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors on Sunday, while the Celtics will visit Cleveland to face the Cavaliers.

Fans went wild after Jayson Tatum attempted a one-handed dunk during his season debut in the Boston Celtics’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

Tatum finally made his long-awaited debut on March 6. This occurred approximately 10 months after tearing his Achilles in Game 4 of the 2025 East Semifinals against the New York Knicks.

Tatum missed the first 62 games of the season, leaving him with 20 games left to potentially participate. Making his debut against Dallas, he attempted a one-handed dunk in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Even though the rim rejected him, the fans in attendance were happy to see him use that burst of athleticism to improve his health.

TD Garden was almost destroyed after this dunk attempt by Jayson Tatum 👀🗣️

pic.twitter.com/mAajlxH7W

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 7 March 2026

The primary storyline heading into Friday night’s game between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks is the return of superstar Jayson Tatum after tearing his Achilles 10 months ago. The Celtics are hoping to have Tatum back in the lineup for the final 20 games of the season so that they are in a position to compete for an NBA title with their entire team when the playoffs begin. The other story is that Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will get a chance to play on the same court as Tatum for the first time in his career.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on Cooper Flagg’s excitement for today’s game:

“He mentioned Tatum as one of the guys he looks up to.”

“It is not easy to play against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it is a big challenge.” pic.twitter.com/taU0G38zwk

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 6 March 2026

Flagg grew up in nearby Maine, and he regularly followed Tatum in his formative years because he admired the way the Celtics superstar played the game.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg is excited to play in Boston against a player he has followed for several years. “He mentioned Tatum as one of the guys he looks up to,” Kidd said during his media availability before Friday’s game. “It is not easy to play against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it is a big challenge.”

Flagg and the Mavericks come into the game as 14.5-point underdogs against the Celtics. The rookie is averaging 20.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and is recovering from a recent foot injury. The No. 1 pick in last year’s draft has shown that he will likely be a superstar in the coming seasons.

Tatum is scheduled to play his first game since suffering an injury in last year’s second-round playoff game with the New York Knicks. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and partnered with Jaylen Brown to lead the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship. Tatum is averaging 23.6 ppg over his eight-year career.

Jayson Tatum is back. One of the game’s brightest stars and reigning NBA champion is ready to return to the court after suffering a severely torn Achilles tendon during last season’s playoffs. Tatum is back after 11 months as the Boston Celtics are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and look to make another serious run at the NBA Finals.

Even with all the hype surrounding Tatum’s return, there is still a lot of work to be done. The Celtics hosted the Dallas Mavericks after a bad loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Tatum wouldn’t have returned if he didn’t feel 100% ready to make a serious impact. It may take some time to get back to what they were before the injury. But after we all watched him struggle in the early stages of rehab, you know Tatum is happy to get back to doing what he loves.

Tatum took the field Friday night and responded with an “I’m excited” message as he walked down the hallway toward the locker room.

“How does it feel to be back JT?”

“I’m excited.”

Celtics star Jayson Tatum arrives before his first game after tearing his Achilles in the Eastern Conference Semifinals 😊🍀

(via @ESPN)pic.twitter.com/9UDZr7LYnz

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

ClutchPoints’ Celtics reporter Daniel Donabedian wrote that Tatum’s return would make life easier for the Celtics. Sam Howser told them Tatum would fit right back in.

“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.”

The Boston Celtics got a big boost on Thursday when it was revealed that Jayson Tatum will not only return from injury this season, but there is also a possibility that he will play in the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. However, one of the more surprising aspects of Jayson Tatum’s injury return is the suggestion that it will create a power struggle between him and Celtics co-star Jaylen Brown.

During a recent episode of ClutchScoops, ClutchPoints’ own NBA insider Brett Siegel explained why there will be no such power dynamic between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown upon the former’s return to the Celtics lineup.

“I think there’s a common misconception about, ‘Oh, this is Jaylen Brown’s team now, and Jayson Tatum has to work his way back,'” Siegel explained. “I don’t think it’s a problem because Jayson Tatum is arguably the best plug-and-play star in this league given his skill-set. He’s not a guy that demands the ball a lot of times. Honestly, he was a very good facilitator last year. I think that was one of the most underrated aspects of his game.”

Siegel highlighted how Tatum has already deferred to Brown several times, particularly during the team’s 2024 championship run when Brown took home Finals MVP honors.

Brown is enjoying an MVP-caliber season in Tatum’s absence, and given that he is taking on a larger role, his increased usage was expected. With Tatum returning, some additional pressure has been taken off the Browns.

Both the players have proved that they can live with each other. Doubts over whether the pair could win together should have been put to rest after the 2024 title.

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is aiming to return on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks after being upgraded on the team’s injury report for the first time all season.

He is officially listed as questionable to play against the Mavs.

Tatum, who has been working extremely hard to make his comeback from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs against the New York Knicks, will now give the Celtics a huge boost a month before the end of the 2025-26 regular season.

Many were wondering when this moment would come for the 28-year-old superstar and now the answer has been found.

Friday will mark 298 days since Tatum suffered an Achilles injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks, a moment that changed the trajectory of the Celtics franchise as we knew it. However, Tatum immediately dedicated himself to coming back stronger than ever, and his goal was always to return during the 2025–26 season.

After recently being cleared for full contact in 5-on-5 scrimmages and practice, it was only a matter of time before Tatum got the green light. When he steps onto the court for the first time this season on Friday at TD Garden, Tatum will face a very strict minutes restriction from head coach Joe Mazzulla and the medical staff.

Tatum recently took to social media after passing the 40-week mark in his recovery process, leading many to wonder if his season debut was imminent.

“40 weeks,” Tatum wrote. “I have really grown to appreciate this journey and have found time to pat myself on the back for doing well every day!”

Without Tatum this season, many expected the Celtics to take a step back, but All-Star wing Jaylen Brown has put this franchise in a position to compete for a championship, especially with his partner in crime back.

Brown has cemented himself in the MVP discussion this year, and he has led the Celtics to a 41-21 record ahead of Friday’s showdown with Dallas. Boston currently holds sole possession of the 2-seed in the Eastern Conference and is five games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the standings.

While he’s still technically listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavs, all signs point towards the Celtics making it official and Tatum’s season debut to what will be a thrilled and sold-out crowd in Boston.

Tatum is back for the Celtics.

As Jayson Tatum prepares to return to the lineup for the Celtics, there is a growing group of NBA prognosticators who believe he will need to sideline Jaylen Brown for the team to be successful. Although the Celtics lost to the Hornets last night, they are still in second place in the Eastern Conference. They are 41-21 this year, two games ahead of the New York Knicks in the loss column.

on the latest episode of 7pm in BrooklynNBA Hall-of-Famer and nba on nbc Studio analyst Carmelo Anthony gave his opinion on the conversation surrounding Brown’s return, saying that Tatum needs to take a back seat to his All-Star teammate.

“For so long JB has sacrificed everything. Now it’s like JT, what are you going to sacrifice? But now I’ve held down the fort for you and the entire organization. JT has to be very mature about this situation. This is no ego, no pride. We got a chance to come back and win a championship. So I have to put my pride and ego aside for the next 3 months and let JB continue to steer the ship.”

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix made a similar comment on Wednesday, saying, “I think [Jayson] Tatum knows that by coming back he is stepping into Jaylen Brown’s team. Brown is a top five, top six MVP candidate this year. He has put this team on his back aggressively. And Tatum will have to find a way to fit in.

In 55 appearances this season, Jaylen Brown has averaged 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game, while also recording a steal per contest. He is shooting 48% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc. Brown has been a driving force behind the success of the Boston Celtics, helping keep them firmly in the championship conversation.

Still, if Jayson Tatum returns to full strength, the Celtics will be a formidable team regardless of who rules each game. Over 72 games during the regular season, Jayson Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists per contest, while shooting 34% from three-point range. During that period, Tatum continued to develop into a high-level playmaker, someone who was able to generate scoring opportunities for his teammates while also being offensive for himself.

Tatum will certainly demonstrate his fit with the team when he returns to the lineup on Friday against the Mavericks.

There is increasing buzz about the possibility of Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum returning from his Achilles injury before the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.

There has been no official announcement regarding this yet, but many believe that the former Duke Blue Devils star will be on the floor sooner than expected for the start.

And if it’s going to happen, will it happen this Wednesday, when Boston takes on the visiting Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden in Beantown? Here’s everything we know about Jayson Tatum’s injury and his playing status against the Hornets.

*Watch NBA Games Live with fuboTV (Free Trial)*

Jayson Tatum Injury Status vs. Hornets

Despite the discussion, Tatum will not debut against the Hornets in the 2025-26 season, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“Jayson Tatum is out ahead of tomorrow night’s Hornets-Celtics clash. Amid speculation that he could return on Wednesday, that won’t be the case for the All-Star forward,” Seagal shared via a social media post on Tuesday.

Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon injury during Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2025. He went under the knife the next day to repair the injury and was subsequently declared out for the rest of the playoffs and expected to be unavailable for the entire 2025–26 campaign.

However, reports have revealed that Tatum has begun participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages, leading to speculation that he is getting ready to see action this season. Additionally, he also practiced with Boston’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

In any case, the Celtics are performing well even without Tatum. They enter the meeting with Charlotte with a 41-20 record, second in the Eastern Conference standings and a three-game winning streak following a 108-81 defeat of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The 28-year-old Tatum has played 585 games since being selected by the Celtics as the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, averaging 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from behind the arc.

So, when the question comes whether Tatum is playing against the Hornets, the answer is no.

celtics injury report

Jayson Tatum (Achilles): out

hornet injury report

Coby White (calf): Out vs. Mavericks (Tuesday)

NBC analyst Reggie Miller is high on the Boston Celtics’ potential in the NBA playoffs. in a recent appearance dan patrick showMiller praised the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown for stepping up during Tatum’s absence and highlighted the team’s depth. He then said that the Celtics are “the scariest team in the Eastern Conference”, even with Tatum marginalized.

“The Celtics are the scariest team in the Eastern Conference, and the reason there are no expectations is because people thought it would be a gap year. Yeah. About Tatum and the way Jaylen Brown is, his name should definitely be in the MVP discussion with Cade Cunningham.”

He added, “With the Celtics, with or without Tatum coming back, the Celtics are a real threat to win the Easter Conference… They’ve been well coached by Coach Mazzulla. They’re deep. They can play a lot of ways. They can play big, small, and I think Vucevic has a pickup low. You can play it back to the basket. He can knock down threes. They play a certain way. They shoot a lot of threes. Gonna jack up. Most of those shots come from, uh, 16 feet away. Defensively, I’m just telling people they’re high on the Knicks and that’s right, and Cleveland’s going up too.

The Boston Celtics are currently in second place in the East behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They are two games up on the third-seeded New York Knicks in the loss column. The Celtics have emerged as one of the biggest stories of the season, as many NBA fans and forecasters believed they would suffer a blowout without Tatum in the lineup.

But Jaylen Brown has stepped up. He averaged 29.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal along with 4.9 assists per game. The Browns also have help from Peyton Pritchard, who is averaging 17.6 points per game, and Derrick White, who is averaging 17 points per game. Additionally, a sharpshooter like Sam Hauser has emerged as one of the best high-volume shooters in the league, as he shoots 39% from the three-point line. The Celtics also recently acquired Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 11 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Celtics head to Phoenix to play the Suns tonight at 9pm Eastern.

It’s funny how a team’s record can affect a star’s injury return timeline. If the Boston Celtics were struggling to maintain a playoff position like many expected, fans probably wouldn’t expect Jayson Tatum to play this season. Although Jaylen Brown led the team to second place in the Eastern Conference, the public consensus is that number zero will speed up his recovery process and try to help the C’s win another championship.

Well, one should not jump to conclusions just yet. Despite making progress in his rehab for the torn Achilles he suffered during last year’s playoffs, Tatum isn’t ready to commit to anything.

“I don’t have a return date in mind,” he told the Celtics’ Bobby Manning on CLNS. “I take it one day at a time. I feel better than I did yesterday, and that’s the most important.”

.@RealBobManning Asked Jayson Tatum if he has a return date in mind:

“I don’t have a date… I just take one day at a time. I’m feeling better than yesterday.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/67bsMB4ubj

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 21 February 2026

The four-time All-NBA first-team selection continued during his lengthy recovery. While it’s probably tempting to look toward the playoffs, he realizes the dangers of rushing the process. If Tatum comes back well below full strength he won’t be any help for Boston. Nevertheless, the 2024 NBA champion is still making every effort to reunite with his teammates before the end of the campaign.

Tatum, by his own admission, has participated in “a little 5-on-5”, giving fans some hope that he could get on the floor this spring. If the 27-year-old is able to get fit before the playoffs, the Celtics will immediately become a popular NBA Finals pick. But for now they are doing just fine without the franchise pillar.

Boston has done a great job of staying focused on the task at hand as they continue to win. Speculation will not benefit anyone. C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla himself said: “I don’t live on experience. I live on principle.”

Here’s what we know. The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and Jayson Tatum is getting stronger every day. The fans will take it.

The Boston Celtics are currently preparing for the unofficial second half of the NBA season following the conclusion of the All-Star break. The Celtics are playing some excellent basketball, especially considering they have been without star Jayson Tatum this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles.

There has been much speculation in recent weeks that Tatum could return as soon as this season following one of the quickest Achilles recoveries the league has ever seen, which was further fueled when the league moved the upcoming Celtics home game against the Philadelphia 76ers to national TV without explanation.

Now, Tatum has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to mark a new milestone in his recovery process.

“40 weeks,” Tatum wrote on the social media platform along with a prayer emoji. “I have really grown to appreciate this journey and have found time to pat myself on the back for doing well every day!”

Tatum suffered an Achilles injury last year during Game 4 of the semifinal series against the New York Knicks, which Boston lost in six games, already down 3–1 by the time Tatum was sidelined.

This year, Jaylen Brown is playing at a borderline MVP level for the Celtics, and Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard have overcome a bad start to the year to help provide some explosive scoring for the team.

Meanwhile, Boston executives recently made a winning move by sending Anfernee Simmons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic at the NBA trade deadline, eliminating the team’s biggest weakness in the process.

If Tatum is indeed able to come back this year, many will view the Celtics as the favorite to come out of the East in the spring.

Boston’s season is scheduled to resume on Thursday with a road game against the Golden State Warriors.

如果比爾·西蒙斯的陰謀論有任何跡象的話，波士頓凱爾特人隊的球迷似乎不需要等待很長時間就能看到傑森·塔圖姆的回歸。在他的同名播客的最新一集中，這位凱爾特人隊的終身球迷讀了茶葉，並得出結論，塔圖姆有望在三月的第一周回歸——他的錢是在這個月的第一周。

「我不知道你週末是否看到了這個。3月1日週日晚上凱爾特人隊和76人隊的比賽。從下午六點改為晚上八點。嗯，」西蒙斯說。

「我聽說三月第一周已經有一段時間了。據說是在 3 月 4 日和 3 月 6 日的比賽前後。陰謀比爾還指出，如果你訪問任何 3 月 6 日達拉斯比賽的門票轉售網站，價格會很不正常。而且不可能只是庫珀·弗拉格要來城裡。”

「所以看起來真的開始像是 3 月 1 日或 3 月 6 日，但我的錢現在對他來說應該是 3 月 1 日。”

塞爾提克隊已經準備好佔據東部第一的位置

塞爾提克隊成為 2025-26 NBA 賽季最大的驚喜之一；儘管沒有塔圖姆，他們還是成功守住了堡壘，這在很大程度上要歸功於傑倫·布朗的穩定和主教練喬·馬祖拉的才華。

但塞爾提克隊知道，他們在六月爭奪拉里·奧布萊恩獎杯的夢想將取決於塔圖姆和他的健康狀況，以及他在季後賽跟腱斷裂一年後是否準備好為球隊帶來影響。

對於塔圖姆來說，試圖幫助塞爾提克渡過難關將是一個很高的要求，因為他在跟腱撕裂的回歸中肯定還沒有達到100%的狀態。但事實上，有跡象表明回歸時間比預期要早，這對波士頓來說是令人難以置信的，對整個聯盟來說也是令人難以置信的。

Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown gave an encouraging update on Jayson Tatum’s injury at All-Star Media Day. For many, the Celtics’ trade for Nikola Vucevic signaled Tatum’s return, or at least, signaled the organization’s desire to do so, while the All-Star forward has not made a final decision on whether or not he should return this season.

As for the Browns, Tatum is looking better as he reaches the final stages of recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last year in the Celtics’ second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Brown addressed Tatum’s rehabilitation during his media availability on Saturday.

“In terms of what I’ve seen, he looks great,” Brown said, adding that Tatum’s potential return for this season is close.

While Tatum’s recent practice with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, was an encouraging update, Jayson says it is not a guarantee he is returning this season, which is a decision that will likely be made in the coming weeks.

Celtics return Nikola Vucevic trade sign for Jayson Tatum

The Celtics added to their frontcourt at the deadline by trading Anfernee Simmons with the Bulls for Nikola Vucevic. Despite the guard leading the NBA in points off the bench, the Celtics added a big move to complement their All-Star tandem in Jaylen Brown and, hopefully, Jayson Tatum, amid his impending return.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Celtics trading for Vucevic increases the front office’s confidence that Tatum will return before the end of the regular season.

Stein reported, “The Celtics’ decision to acquire Nikola Vucevic from Chicago before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simmons’ expiring contract, was a clear indicator that Boston believes Tatum will indeed return for the postseason.”

The Celtics entered the All-Star break with the second-best record – 35–19 – in the Eastern Conference.

維克多·溫班亞馬 (Victor Wembanyama) 正在努力最終成為 NBA 頂級球員。這只是時間問題。他在聖安東尼奧的存在為這個已經取得巨大成功的球隊創造了奇蹟。從大衛·羅賓遜、蒂姆·鄧肯、科懷·倫納德到溫比，馬刺隊總能找到一位超​​​​級巨星。

溫尼本賽季幫助球隊領軍，但他只打了 33 場比賽。馬刺隊還沒有完全健康，溫巴尼亞馬的健康狀況給他們帶來了一些額外的障礙。儘管如此，馬刺隊以32勝15負的戰績排名西部第二。他們落後俄克拉荷馬雷霆隊 5.5 個勝場。

波士頓凱爾特人隊球星傑森·塔圖姆在跟腱傷勢恢復期間觀看了溫比隊和馬刺隊的比賽。他在最新一集的《The Pivot》中讚揚了溫比。

“當我可以的時候，每晚都看他，並且親自見到他，這太荒謬了。我什至不知道還能如何表達……他仍在摸索自己……他能夠做到的事情，我們從未見過。”

溫班亞馬在客場戰勝休斯頓火箭隊後聲稱自己的投籃命中率是1投1中。他在29分鐘內得到28分，搶下16個籃板並蓋帽5次。

這位身高7英尺4英寸的超級巨星場均得到24.3分，在NBA中排名第18位。他的籃板數排名第四，場均 11.2 個；投籃命中率排名第 32，場均 50.6%；蓋帽數排名第一，場均 2.7 個。

聖安東尼奧馬刺隊在周六下午在 Prime Video 上客場迎戰夏洛特黃蜂隊之前有幾個晚上的休息時間。他們週日將回到主場迎戰奧蘭多魔術隊。