The Boston Celtics lost star Jayson Tatum during last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the New York Knicks.
While it was originally assumed that Tatum would be missing at a minimum the entire 2025-2026 NBA regular season, the former Duke Blue Devil may be returning sooner than fans thought.
The Celtics are currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference at 40-20, despite many people counting them out of the running to contend this season.
Here is everything you need to know about Jayson Tatum's imminent return.
MORE: Celtics get bummer Jayson Tatum injury news amid return rumors
When is Jayson Tatum coming back?
On his podcast, Celtics fan and basketball analyst Bill Simmons said he believed Tatum may be returning later this week.
“Tatum, it feels like it’s gonna be Friday vs. Dallas. All signs are pointing to Friday, Dallas," Simmons said.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics' star has begun participating in full 5-on-5 scrimmages during Celtics practices, which suggests he's been recovering well and is gearing up for an upcoming return this season.
The latest for ESPN NBA Countdown on Boston's Jayson Tatum, a full go in five-on-five team scrimmages nine months post-Achilles surgery: pic.twitter.com/rSCJS8OR8g
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 26, 2026
Is Jayson Tatum coming back this year?
While no formal announcement has come out yet, many around the league believe Tatum will return this month to aid the Celtics in making a final push in the East.
Last month, Tatum was seen practicing with the Maine Celtics, Boston's G-League affiliate.
Making progress 💪 pic.twitter.com/TMLjpl2FZv
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 10, 2026
The No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons may be tough to catch, but the task is still not impossible. Tatum's potential return will be a huge help in fending off New York, who are 1.5 games back from the Celtics No. 2 spot.
What happened to Jayson Tatum?
Tatum's injury occurred with three minutes left in Game 4 of last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks.
After Jaylen Brown had a pass poked away, Tatum dove for the loose ball that was recovered by Knicks' forward OG Anunoby and, in the process, ruptured his right Achilles.
Jayson Tatum was helped off the court late in Game 4 after an apparent leg injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/UF8D4mxqlo
— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2025
Boston would go on to lose the series and would face the prospect of missing their star for the vast majority of the upcoming season, at best.
MORE: Bill Simmons reveals Jayson Tatum's possible return date
When did Jayson Tatum rupture his Achilles?
Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon on May 12, 2025, during the final minutes of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Knicks.
The star was originally expected to miss the entire 2025-2026 NBA season, but is looking to return sooner than anticipated.
Jayson Tatum Achilles recovery timeline
According to the National Library of Medicine, the recovery for a professional basketball player who ruptured their Achilles has a rehabilitation period of around 10 months.
This injury can happen during explosive takeoffs, sudden stops, or overuse.
If Tatum returns this month, it will be around 10 months since the injury at Madison Square Garden.
Other notable NBA stars who fell victim to an Achilles injury were:
Damian Lillard (2025): torn Achilles, likely out for the entire season
Tyrese Haliburton (2025 Finals): ruptured Achilles, undergoing long-term rehab
Kevin Durant (2019 Finals): ruptured Achilles, missed 18 months