Jayson Tatum
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on before a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on March 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Is a Jayson Tatum comeback suddenly in the works? The Philadelphia 76ers are operating with the idea that the Boston Celtics could stun the NBA world on Sunday, March 1.
After the Sixers wrapped up a practice session on Saturday morning, the head coach, Nick Nurse, addressed reporters to discuss the Celtics-Sixers battle.
While previewing the upcoming game, Nurse noted that the Sixers aren’t taking any chances. If Tatum plays, they’ll be ready for a Celtics team that has the multi-time All-Star in the lineup.
Nick Nurse Speaks On Possible Jayson Tatum Return
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images76ers head coach Nick Nurse revealed that the team is preparing for the Celtics to get Jayson Tatum back.
“I think we’ve talked about it a little bit,” Nurse told reporters on Saturday.
“We haven’t done much yet. I think, obviously, if he hits the (injury) report later, in some fashion, it looks like he—then we’d probably do a bit more. I guess if there’s any chance he plays tomorrow from the report, then we’ll dig in, and we still have shootaround and stuff to prepare for him.”
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The Celtics haven’t dropped any critical updates on Tatum’s timeline lately. At this point, the public is left in the dark about whether he’ll return or take the rest of the season off.
During the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Tatum went down with an Achilles injury. He was one of three NBA stars to suffer that setback during the postseason. Tatum is the only one considering a return to the floor this year.
What’s The Latest On Tatum?
Jayson Tatum
GettyBoston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is working on making a comeback.
The Celtics have teased the fact that Tatum has been back at practice, preparing for a potential return. Recently, it was revealed that the star forward has been cleared for 5-on-5 work, which is a major step in the right direction.
At the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, Tatum seemed guaranteed to make his return sometime later in the season. At one point, he sprinkled in some doubt, despite the fact that the Celtics have been thriving this year.
But there are too many hints at a potential return sometime this season. Not only are the Celtics competitive, but they made a win-now move to boost the front court with an expiring veteran in Nikola Vucevic. Rumors suggested that the move was made with the assumption that Tatum would be back for the upcoming playoff run.
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After a blowout 148-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics improved to 39-20 on the year. They had doubters heading into the season, but Jaylen Brown and the team squashed all of that. They’ll begin March with a 39-20 record.
Currently, the Celtics are sitting second in the Eastern Conference.
If Tatum makes a surprising return to the court, the chances are he’ll be on a strict minutes restriction. Either way, Nurse and the Sixers aren’t going into the action unprepared.
The two teams will tip at 8 PM ET on Sunday.