Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
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Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum has yet to play this season. The Boston Celtics All-Star is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury he suffered during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Over the past week, Tatum’s rehab has begun to pick up pace. He’s been cleared for controlled five-on-five scrimmages against the team’s coaching staff. And, on Monday, he took part in a practice session against Boston’s two-way players along with some of the G-League team.
An in-season return is increasingly looking like a legitimate possibility for Tatum. However, in a Feb. 10 episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith urged Tatum to take this time in returning to the court.
“I just want to say to Jayson Tatum, ‘why do that to yourself?’ Why come back? I mean, brother, you need to rest,” Stephen A said. “You need to take your time. Stay home. Get to the facilities. Rehab. There’s no rush. There really isn’t. I mean, it’s an Achilles tear. And I don’t want to see you get hurt again… So don’t rush back. Take your time. This is usually a 16 to 18-month recovery. It hasn’t even been 12. Jayson Tatum, that’s just not wise. Don’t do it. Rehab. Get yourself right. For next season.”
Of course, Stephen A. has an ulterior reason for Tatum to remain sidelined because he’s an avid New York Knicks fan. Adding Tatum back to the roster would significantly increase the Celtics chances of postseason success.
Nevertheless, Stephen A. was also sharing concerns that some sections of Boston’s fanbase have voiced throughout the season.
Stephen A. Smith Believes Celtics Could Be Disrupted
During the same episode of First Take, Stephen A. went on to explain how Tatum’s return to the rotation could disrupt the team’s current rhythm.
“It could be potentially disruptive, by the way,” Smith continued. “I don’t think that Jayson Tatum really elevates you for the immediate moment. I think it actually sets you back because then Jaylen Brown has to step back from being that alpha dude that he’s been all season long to re-ingratiate Jayson Tatum.”
“They know the system. They know what they’re doing. They played for the coach before, and they won a championship. They were playing together for years and years and years. So it wouldn’t take but so long to figure it out. But we’ve never seen Jaylen Brown flowing like this and because Jayson Tatum would be back, you have to imagine that has the potential to get in the way.”
The Celtics coaching and front office staff will be aware of the risks involving a Tatum return. However, if he’s medically cleared to play and he wants to be on the court, it makes no sense to keep him sitting on the bench.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Is Following The Plan
When speaking with the media on Feb. 10, Tatum remained coy on whether he will play this season. He did, however, note that he’s sticking to the rehab plan and working through his progressions.
“Today is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey,” Tatum said. “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. And it’s just the progression of rehab, [this was] the next step. Doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not. We’re just following the plan. It was just another step.”
Celtics fans will undoubtedly want to see Boston’s star player back on the court. Right now, all indications are pointing toward an in-season return. Yet, until Tatum or the Celtics make that crystal clear, there’s no telling what decision they’re going to make.