Boston Celtics
It has been virtually 10 months since Tatum final performed an NBA sport. Revisit key moments from his efforts to come back again.
Jayson Tatum was writhing in ache underneath the brilliant lights of Madison Sq. Backyard originally of this prolonged journey.
He was chasing a unfastened ball within the closing minutes of Recreation 4 of the Jap Convention semifinals when his achilles’ tendon ruptured, sending him crashing to the ground as he clutched his decrease leg.
Tatum is reportedly anticipated to make his comeback this Friday evening at TD Backyard when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of the 2024 Finals. It is going to be Maine native Cooper Flagg’s first skilled sport in Boston, and it will likely be televised nationally on ESPN.
So, right here the Celtics are, approaching the ultimate quarter of the season accountable for the No. 2 seed within the Jap Convention as they have been final 12 months. Besides, this time, they’ve carried out it with out Tatum because the star ahead put in his rehab work.
How did we get right here, with Tatum poised to play so quickly? Right here’s a glance again at what’s transpired since that fateful evening in New York Metropolis.
Might 13, 2025: Celtics announce Tatum underwent surgical procedure
Tatum stayed in a single day in New York Metropolis to have surgical procedure carried out by Dr. Martin O’Malley.
By 4:45 p.m. the subsequent day, the Celtics introduced that the surgical procedure was profitable and Tatum was anticipated to make a full restoration. They didn’t present a timetable for his return.
In the meantime, there was nonetheless basketball left to be performed. The Celtics have been trailing the Knicks within the sequence 3-1 on the time, with Recreation 5 at TD Backyard looming. As soon as he was out of the hospital, Tatum visited his teammates on the workforce resort.
“We really feel for [Tatum], after all,” Celtics heart Kristaps Porzingis mentioned on the time. “However we have now to maneuver ahead. He doesn’t need us to be unhappy and never enjoying our greatest basketball. So we’re going to go on the market and depart all of it on the market and reside with the outcomes.”
Jaylen Brown completed two rebounds shy (26 factors, 12 assists, eight rebounds) of a triple-double because the Celtics beat the Knicks 127-102, forcing a Recreation 6 in New York.
Might 16, 2025: Celtics eradicated from playoffs with out Tatum
The return to New York was not sort to the Celtics. The Knicks thrashed them 119-81, marking the primary time New York had gained a playoff sequence on its dwelling flooring because the 1999 Jap Convention Finals.
Brown was unable to duplicate his Recreation 5 efficiency, capturing 8-for-20 from the sphere with seven turnovers earlier than fouling out within the third quarter. He was the one Celtics starter with greater than 10 factors.
The Celtics shot 30 p.c from 3-point vary as a workforce and have been out-rebounded 55-to-36 within the elimination sport.
“Shedding to the Knicks appears like dying,” Brown mentioned. “However I used to be at all times taught there’s life after dying. So, no matter’s subsequent within the journey, I’ll be prepared for.”
Aug. 7 2025: Tatum arrives at Patriots coaching camp with out a strolling boot
Almost three months after the harm, Tatum made an look on the Patriots’ joint apply with the Commanders at Gillette Stadium.
He was not sporting a strolling boot, a notable growth on the time. He shook Drake Maye’s hand afterwards. Maye asked Tatum how he was feeling.
“I’m getting higher,” Tatum responded.
Sept. 29, 2025: Tatum says there’s ‘no strain’ for him to return
Tatum spoke concerning the workforce’s expectations for him at Celtics Media Day.
By that time, he was already posting movies of himself capturing and jogging. However, he made it clear that the Celtics weren’t placing strain on him to come back again by a particular date.
“No strain,” Tatum mentioned. “I’ve said that. There’s no strain to return again any earlier than once I’m one hundred pc wholesome. No strain from [president of operations Brad Stevens], [coach Joe Mazzulla], the workforce, the group. Crucial factor is that I’m one hundred pc wholesome each time I do come again.”
He had informed The Boston Globe the week earlier than that his plan, each time he did return, was to make his season debut in entrance of the TD Backyard followers.
“I believe it’s going to be a special occasion, and I do know one factor: My first sport again can be at dwelling, it will likely be in TD Backyard,” Tatum mentioned.“It in all probability can be emotional, but it surely’s one thing I’m wanting ahead to, simply operating via that tunnel and being on the courtroom once more with all of our followers and sharing that second with them.”
Oct. 26, 2025: Celtics lose their first three video games with out Tatum
The Celtics received off to a rocky begin with out Tatum, shedding their first three video games of the season.
Philadelphia beat them by one level on opening evening, then they traveled to New York and took a loss, and fell to Detroit after that earlier than lastly notching a blowout win agains the Pelicans.
Wanting again, these are three of the highest six groups within the East that they misplaced to. However, nonetheless, it may be straightforward to overlook that the Celtics started this season 0-3.
Dec. 17, 2025: Brad Stevens drops a touch
The Celtics remained tight-lipped about Tatum’s restoration timeline till they introduced his standing improve to questionable through their very own harm report in March.
However, there have been some hints that he was planning on enjoying this season, together with this one from Brad Stevens.
“One of many issues that everyone can see is we didn’t apply for a [disabled player exception] this 12 months, which was a acutely aware determination for lots of causes,” Stevens mentioned. “However the actuality is he’s not going to be again till he’s 110 p.c wholesome and he feels good about it, and that’s a giant a part of it, proper?”
Jan. 19 2026: Tatum has prolonged exercise in entrance of reporters
Tatum spent an hour figuring out in entrance of reporters throughout a apply on a highway journey to Detroit, a refined signal that he had continued to progress in his restoration.
“He even labored out on the basket closest to the place the journalists had assembled,” the Globe‘s Adam Himmelsbach wrote.
He didn’t communicate to the media that day, however he was passing, capturing, and dunking in entrance of them.
Feb. 9, 2026: Tatum assigned to Maine Celtics for apply
The Celtics briefly assigned Tatum to Maine for a apply earlier than shortly recalling him to Boston.
The apply with the G-League affiliate was one more signal of progress for Tatum within the restoration journey.
ESPN had beforehand reported that Tatum was collaborating in managed 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches.
March 5, 2026: Celtics improve Tatum’s harm standing
The Celtics listed Tatum as questionable on their harm report, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Tatum is predicted to make his season debut in opposition to the Mavericks on Friday evening.
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