Jayson Tatum, Celtics, Jayson Tatum return, Jayson Tatum injury
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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the bench during the second half at TD Garden on November 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 124-105 on Wednesday night in their final game before the All-Star break. The victory sent Boston into the break at 35-19, good for second place in the Eastern Conference.
All-Star Weekend arrived in Los Angeles with news that caught Boston’s attention. It was announced that the Celtics’ March 1st home game against the Philadelphia 76ers has been moved from 6 PM to 8 PM and will now air nationally on NBC. The schedule change raised immediate speculation. Could it be Tatum’s return?
During the weekend’s media availability, one Celtics player who practiced with Jayson Tatum last week shared what he saw.
Savage
REPORT
per: @SteveBHoop
“the Celtics’ home game versus Philadelphia on Sunday, March 1st has been moved from 6 pm to 8 and will now be televised by NBC.”
Hmmmm. Wonder why??
👀
Harper’s Assessment on Tatum’s Practice
Ron Harper Jr. was on the floor Monday when Jayson Tatum went through portions of practice with the Maine Celtics. He experienced firsthand what Tatum looks like nearly 40 weeks after tearing his Achilles in last year’s playoffs.
When reporters asked Harper about that session during All-Star Weekend media availability, he kept his answer direct.
“He looked like Jayson Tatum,” Harper said. “I’ll say that much.”
Harper expanded on his evaluation later in the interview.
“JT looked great and I’m sure he’s going to keep progressing in his rehab, whatever that looks like,” Harper said. “Time will tell, but yeah, he’s looking good.”
There’s no ambiguity in that response. Harper didn’t say Tatum looked decent or showed encouraging signs. He said Tatum looked like Tatum.
jb
Ron Harper Jr talks about how Tatum looked at the practice with the Maine Celtics:
“He looked like Jayson Tatum, I’ll say that much.” 👀
Harper Family at All-Star Weekend
Ron Harper Jr’s presence in Los Angeles reflects the month he’s having. He has played 70 NBA minutes in February for the Celtics. Before this month, he’d logged 105 minutes across his entire career. The opportunity finally arrived after years of bouncing between the G-League and the NBA.
Harper Jr. started Friday night’s Rising Stars game for Team Austin. The moment carried extra meaning because his younger brother, San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, started on the opposite side for Team Melo.
The older Harper brother controlled the boards. He grabbed seven rebounds in a contest that featured some of the league’s top young talent. But it was his younger brother who stole the headlines.
With the score at 38-34, Team Melo was one basket away from winning. Dylan Harper brought the ball up and the floor cleared for a one-on-one matchup between the Harper brothers. Dylan worked through his dribble before stepping back for a jumper over Ron’s outstretched hand. The shot dropped. Game over. Dylan’s winner ended Ron’s night, but the performance showcased why the two-way guard earned his All-Star Weekend invitation.
On Saturday, the brothers will join their father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., for the Shooting Stars competition. A perfect way to cap off the weekend for the Harper family.
Brown Representing Celtics as All-Star Starter
Jaylen Brown earned his spot in Los Angeles as an All-Star starter for Team USA Stripes. It marked the first time in his career he’s been voted into the starting lineup for the exhibition.
The recognition reflects what Brown has accomplished this season. He’s averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, earning himself the Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for January.
Sunday’s All-Star Game gives Brown a national platform to showcase his elevated game. The Celtics sit at 35-19 largely because of Brown’s MVP caliber play. When Tatum eventually returns, Brown’s production doesn’t disappear. It makes Boston exponentially more dangerous.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
Ron Harper Jr. played with Jayson Tatum in live drills last Monday. His assessment was straightforward. Tatum looked like Jayson Tatum.
The NBA moved the Celtics’ March 1st game against Philadelphia to prime time on NBC. Drew Carter, the Celtics’ play-by-play announcer, mentioned last week that Tatum’s birthday could play a factor in his return date. It falls in early March. March 3rd, to be exact.
The timing creates natural speculation. A nationally televised home game two days before Tatum turns 28. Harper confirming that Tatum looked like himself at practice. The Celtics sitting at 35-19 with Brown thriving as an All-Star starter.
Adding Tatum back transforms everything. The question is when Boston decides to make it happen.