Jayson Tatum nears long-awaited return as Celtics star eyes comeback from achilles injury

The Boston Celtics may soon welcome back the centerpiece of their franchise as Jayson Tatum inches closer to his long-anticipated return from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Nearly nine months after the devastating injury that ended his postseason run last year, the Celtics star was listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report ahead of Boston’s home matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. It marks the first time this season that Tatum has not been officially listed as sidelined while recovering from surgery.

If he suits up on Friday at TD Garden, it would signal the final step in a long rehabilitation journey that began when Tatum went down during Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks last May.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens had previously emphasized that the team would only allow Tatum to return when he was fully prepared both physically and mentally. Now, with Boston entering the closing stretch of the regular season, that moment could finally be within reach.

At 41-21, the Celtics sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 20 games left to play, including 11 at home — a scenario that fits perfectly with Tatum’s earlier comments that he envisioned his comeback happening in front of the Boston crowd.

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BREAKING: Jayson Tatum has been fully cleared to play this season after suffering a ruptured right Achilles tendon in May 2025 during the playoffs (Game 4 vs. the New York Knicks).

He’s expected to make his 2025-26 season debut tonight (Friday, March 6) for the Boston… pic.twitter.com/cIEmJGLVOf

— earth times (@earthtimeshq) March 6, 2026

Behind the scenes, the 28-year-old forward has been relentless in his recovery process. Just weeks after undergoing surgery, Tatum made it clear that his return would not simply be about easing back into action.

“I didn’t come back to be no role player, Doc,” Tatum said weeks after the surgery to his physician during a checkup that was chronicled in the recently released documentary “The Quiet Work,” which followed his rehab process.

When the injury occurred last postseason, Tatum admitted the emotional weight of the moment was heavy. Boston’s hopes of repeating as NBA champions were fading, and his season was suddenly over.

Yet instead of dwelling on the setback, he quickly shifted his focus to recovery. Tatum chose to undergo surgery the very next day, immediately beginning the long process of rehabilitation.

Medical experts typically estimate a recovery window of nine to twelve months for players returning from Achilles tendon surgery. If Tatum takes the court against Dallas, it would come 298 days after his surgery on May 13, placing him near the front end of that timeline.

Three weeks ago, after completing a full practice with the team’s G League squad, Tatum remained cautious about declaring an immediate comeback.

“It doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not, it’s just following the plan. So it’s just another step,” Tatum said at the time. “I don’t know percentage. I just know I feel a little bit better everyday. I just try to focus on that.”

In Tatum’s absence, fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown has taken on an expanded leadership role and delivered the best season of his career. Brown is averaging 29.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while also emerging as one of the league’s top defenders — performances that have even placed him in early MVP conversations.

That surge has left Tatum mindful of the team chemistry that has developed during his recovery.

The possibility of seeing Tatum back in a Celtics uniform this week has energized fans and teammates alike.

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