This remains a weird season for the Boston Celtics until further notice.
Jayson Tatum remains out with his torn Achilles, for now and the foreseeable future.
The Celtics are figuring out how to play without Tatum. They've mixed up their starting lineups, including give a start apiece to both Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez. They've given plenty of shots to the likes of Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser.
It could actually help Boston in the long run, if these secondary pieces are allowed to further their development in these bigger roles.
It's still odd, though. Tatum is the leader of the Celtics, and all he can do right now is hang out on the sideline.
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When is Jayson Tatum coming back?
There's a growing feeling that Tatum will return to play at some point during the 2025-26 season. He's already been shown dunking in a video on social media.
Some believe Tatum could get back before winter is over, but if not then, then in the spring.
NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg predicted that Tatum could be back as soon as February.
“The speculation is going to be perpetual, especially once Tatum is able to start really cranking up his on-court work," Forsberg said. "There are plenty of steps to navigate and the Celtics must exercise maximum caution with the long term in mind. But we threw a dart at March while predicting a potential Tatum return date over the summer, and we’re already eager to update our forecast.”
The Athletic recently speculated at a March return for Tatum, who was hurt in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Celtics fans likely had an initial hope of getting Tatum back for the 2026 postseason on something like a 12-month timeline. But it certainly seems like some people think Tatum will get back in sooner than a year.
The rest of Boston's roster will have to do their part to have the Celtics in the playoff picture so that when Tatum potentially comes back, his presence can be a key difference maker.
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