Boston Celtics provided injury updates on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles in the playoffs, has no set return timeline and is expected to miss the 2025–26 season. Brown is recovering from a meniscus procedure and is expected to be ready well before training camp.
Boston Celtics have made it clear: Jayson Tatum road back from a ruptured Achilles will be measured in “baby steps,” while Jaylen Brown is on track to return well before training camp.
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Speaking to reporters after drafting Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed the status of his two franchise cornerstones. Both stars have been putting in daily work at the Auerbach Center.
“It’s usually the time of the year when I don’t see those guys a lot,” Stevens said per CBS News. “They usually go and kind of rest, and get away, but they’ve both prioritized getting better and rehabbing, and after a long season, I appreciate that about them.”
Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis against the New York Knicks and had surgery the very next day. Despite “progressing great,” the six-time All-Star is still expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
“We don’t and we won’t. We won’t put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time,” Stevens emphasized. “As we look at it, there’s no reason to. It’s baby steps right now.”
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“That’ll be in consultation with him and [trainers] Nick [Sang] and Phil Coles and everybody else to make sure that when he hits the court, he is fully ready and fully healthy. That will be the priority.”
Tatum had another strong campaign in 2024–25, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from three.
Meanwhile, Brown is further along in his recovery after undergoing a procedure for a partially torn meniscus. He has already returned to light on-court activity.
“He’s doing great,” Stevens said. “His rehab looks good. He was actually on the court the other day doing some ball handling and doing some light work around the rim. Nothing big movement-wise yet.”
The Celtics expect Brown to be fully ready well ahead of training camp. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season, shooting 46.3% from the floor and 32.4% from deep.
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