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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 supporting Jayson Tatum every step of his rehab journey. Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in the second round of the playoffs last season. With that injury, the Celtics would not commit to him playing this season.
Tatum stated multiple times that he wants to return this season to help Boston contend for an NBA championship. Without him in the lineup, the Celtics sit third in the Eastern Conference standings. Even more surprisingly, they have the second-best offense in the league.
For the first time, Tatum practiced fully with other players. He was assigned to Boston’s G League team to participate in his first practice. Afterwards, Tatum gave an update on how he is progressing.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dribbles the ball. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum Gives Encouraging Update
After practice, Tatum talked about how he felt.
“Today is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey. And it’s just the progression of rehab. It was the next step. It doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not; it’s just the next step. We’re just following the plan.”
When asked how close he felt to returning, Tatum shied away from giving a firm timetable.
“I don’t know. I don’t know the percentage, I just know I feel a little bit better every day, and I try to focus on that.”
Boston has been very open that they will not put Tatum on the court until he feels 100 percent ready to do so. Tatum doesn’t want to rush himself, either. He wants to make sure he is fully ready to contribute to the team before he gets back on the court.
Tatum starting to practice shows that he is physically closer to 100 percent, but he’s not quite there. While he still says he’s not sure if he’s going to return yet, his actions speak differently. The Celtics are clearly laying the groundwork for him to return.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Celtics are Still Contenders to win the East
Even without Tatum, the Celtics have shown they have enough offensive firepower to win the East. The trade of Anfernee Simons indicates that they might believe that Tatum could return as another ball-handler. That’s something they miss with Simons now in Chicago.
Boston has the 10th-best defense in the NBA, which is something they need to improve upon if they are going to come out of the East and make the NBA Finals. Tatum would help with that because of his size and wingspan. Adding Nikola Vucevic doesn’t help their defense much, though.
The Celtics will support Tatum in whatever decision he makes. Last season, Tatum had the second-best offensive rating of his career. Adding him to the current Boston offense would make them closer to the best offense in the league.
Boston will have to win with offense in order to have a shot to win a title, and Tatum is the perfect scorer to help him do that.