Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most of next season, if not the entire 2025-26 NBA campaign. Suffering a right achilles tear in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Tatum was able to undergo surgery just hours later. While this was a best-case scenario, it will not stop his recovery from stretching well into next year.
While Tatum has a long rehab ahead of him, the six-time All-Star has already been seen in the Celtics' training facility doing what he can to keep his body strong. A new video surfaced on Sunday that showed Tatum doing a floor workout.
Celtics fans were encouraged to see Tatum in the gym, but many also took notice of what looked to be a slimmed-down physique for the 27-year-old. Listed at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, Tatum appeared much slimmer than normal to many fans.
"Damn look at the leg size difference from the right to the left," one added.
"Look like he lost weight," said another.
"He lost so much weight, one step at a time our glorious king," wrote one.
"Damn he lost mad weight, respect to him man," said one.
"Damn he got so skinny," commented another.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0)
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
It is not unusual for a player to drop weight after an injury like this. As many pointed out, Tatum's right leg looks particularly thinner, as losing muscle after the injury is to be expected.
"Aww he looks smaller," said one.
"Look like he lost a little weight," one commented.
"bro paper thin now," said another.
"That’s normal coming off an Achilles injury," one pointed out.