Cooper Flagg
Getty
Cooper Flagg has been nursing a foot sprain since February
Former Duke prospects Jayson Tatum and Cooper Flagg have solidified themselves as faces of their respective franchises and are among the next generation of NBA stars.
Both forwards could return from injury on Friday for a star-studded showdown at TD Garden.
Tatum, 27, has been sidelined since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in May 2025. NBA insider Bill Simmons teased that the six-time All-Star could return on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.
“Tatum, it feels like it’s gonna be Friday vs Dallas. All signs are pointing to Friday, Dallas.”
NBACentral
“All signs are pointing to Friday, Dallas.”
– Bill Simmons on Jayson Tatum’s return
(h/t @NBA__Courtside )
While his return date is still to be determined, his role in the offense is not. During a viral clip, Tatum bluntly told his doctor he isn’t returning as a reserve.
“I’m not coming back to be no role player doc,” Tatum said.
The All-NBA forward has been spotted in scrimmages with his teammates in recent practices. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last week that he has been a “full-go” in five-on-five scrimmages.
A return for the Boston Celtics matchup against Dallas on Friday would mark roughly ten months since Tatum’s last start.
Jayson Tatum Return Timeline Similar to Hawks Legend
Jayson Tatum
GettyJayson Tatum nearing return for Boston Celtics
Tatum has yet to play this season after tearing his Achilles tendon in last season’s playoffs.
Buzz surrounding his imminent return grew when, for the first time this season, Tatum was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ultimately, the NBA champion remained out on Sunday, but Celtics fans were encouraged to see him nearing a return.
Should Tatum return this week against Dallas as Simmons predicts, it would come one week shy of 10 months since Tatum underwent reparative surgery.
Recovery time for such an injury is typically around a year, but there have been examples of athletes returning sooner.
Famously, Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins returned in November 1992, ten months after a season-ending rupture of his Achilles tendon.
The following season, Wilkins averaged 29.9 points on 47 percent shooting and finished fifth in MVP voting. He was six years older than Tatum at the time of his return.
So, there is hope for an almost immediate return to All-Star form for the Celtics star.
Will Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Return Soon?
Cooper Flagg
GettyCooper Flagg has been sidelined with a foot sprain since February
Just before the All-Star break, former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg was diagnosed with a foot sprain.
Initially, the injury was not viewed as serious, and the Mavericks reportedly expected him back immediately following the All-Star break.
However, that did not materialize, as Flagg has been sidelined for each of the Mavs’ contests since the All-Star break. The Mavericks are 2-4 during that span.
Dallas still has not expressed long-term concern regarding the injury, but Flagg appears to be a long shot to suit up on Friday.
There has been no official word of his participating in practice thus far. Furthermore, despite appearing in good spirits at Topps Rip Night, a return date for the former No. 1 pick is up in the air.
Boston will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at TD Garden. The 2024 NBA Finals rematch will be televised nationally on ESPN.