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CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics watches from the bench during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have been careful not to put any pressure on Jayson Tatum as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Tatum injured himself in the second round of the playoffs last season against the Knicks. They did not rule him out for the year, however.
Tatum has stated that he is trying hard to come back this season. He has been posting some videos on social media that have chronicled his progress from his injury. The question was whether or not the Celtics would be good enough this season for it to make sense for him to return.
Right now, Boston is third in the Eastern Conference standings. They have been the biggest surprise in the NBA so far. Keeping that kind of pace at the end of the season could make it more interesting for Tatum to return to the lineup. Joe Mazzulla recently gave an update on Tatum.
GettyJayson Tatum answers a question. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Celtics’ Coach Joe Mazzulla Gives Jayson Tatum Update
When asked if it was still realistic for Tatum to return, Mazzulla gave an interesting answer.
“It’s all up to him. At the end of the day, health is the most important thing. His process is the most important thing. We trust him. Trust the team around him. We have a great team, and we’ll kind of just go from there. Kinda just all starts from where he and his team think he’s at. To me, the only thing I care about is his presence, his leadership.”
Mazzulla then followed up and talked about the different kinds of ways that Tatum is showing that leadership.
“He’s doing that in different ways. On the bench for games, communicating with guys in film session, traveling with us. At the end of the day, he’s on our team, a part of our team. He’s helping us get better, and everything else comes down to him and the people around him, and just trust that.”
GettyJayson Tatum dribbles the ball. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Celtics Would Welcome Jayson Tatum Back if Healthy
Based on Mazzulla’s comments, it looks like Boston would welcome Tatum back to the lineup if he is fully healthy. It seems that the organization is trusting Tatum to be smart with his recovery and let him and his team decide when he’s ready to take the court.
Adding Tatum to the team would make them much better. Right now, the Celtics still have the second-best offense in the league. Adding Tatum to that offense would make them much tougher to deal with, especially from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Celtics will not allow Tatum to return to the court unless he is fully healthy. The last thing they want is for him to re-injure himself. Right now, Tatum is still months away from a return. It’s unclear just how close he is, as Tatum hasn’t given any definitive timelines to his recovery.
Mazzulla seems open to Tatum coming back whenever he wants, and they will figure things out.