Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is listed as questionable for the first time this season on the team's injury report ahead of Friday night's contest vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
"Injury Report for tomorrow vs. DAL: Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - QUESTIONABLE," the Celtics' official account posted on X.
Injury Report for tomorrow vs. DAL:
Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - QUESTIONABLE
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 5, 2026
Furthermore, ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported Thursday that Tatum "will play" this season.
"BREAKING: Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon," Charania wrote on X.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/2TCWXuXQK1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 5, 2026
If and when Tatum makes his return to the Celtics' lineup, he'll be coming back to a team that has massively exceeded expectations this season.
Boston enters Thursday in second place in the Eastern Conference standings at 41-21.
Tatum's longtime teammate Jaylen Brown has been an NBA MVP contender, posting career highs in points (28.9), rebounds (7.2) and assists (5.0) across 34.3 minutes per game.
More NBA: Celtics Reporter Destroys Carmelo Anthony's Silly Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Take