By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 18:48 GMT, 5 March 2026 | Updated: 18:48 GMT, 5 March 2026
BOSTON (AP) - Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is on the verge of making a return to NBA action nine months after [rupturing his right Achilles tendon injury](https://apnews.com/article/jayson-tatum-celtics-injury-6891c311cf5abbaa8e4c9b6fa3979dee) during last season´s playoffs.
Tatum was listed as questionable on the Celtics´ injury report on Thursday ahead of the team´s home matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
It is the first time this season he hasn´t been listed as sidelined and undergoing rehabilitation for the injury he suffered during Game 4 of Boston´s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks last May.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has said that Tatum wouldn´t be cleared to return until he was ready to play both physically and mentally. That time may have arrived.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum stands next to bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, jokes with assistant coach Sam Cassell during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum watches from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Injured Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum heads to the bench to look on in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)