Following a lengthy recovery period, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum will make his season debut on Friday night in a nationally televised game against Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks.
It has been a long road back to the hardwood for Tatum, the five-time All-NBA selection who returns to a Celtics that has stunned the league by remaining competitive without him. Entering Friday's game, the Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference with a 41-21 record amid a career year from their other star, Jaylen Brown.
When did Jayson Tatum tear his Achilles?
Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in his right leg during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks on May 12, 2025.
With 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tatum dove for a loose ball and suffered a non-contact injury as he stretched to recover it.
It was apparent immediately that Tatum had sustained a serious injury; the Celtics lost Games 4 and 5 of the series as the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
How Tatum's recovery compared to other Achilles ruptures
Tatum is set to return to the court 298 days after he suffered the Achilles injury, quicker than many had anticipated.
The 10-month period in between games for the six-time All-Star means that he is coming back far sooner than Kevin Durant (552 days) or DeMarcus Cousins (357 days) did when they suffered the same injury.
Days between notable NBA stars' Achilles injuries and their eventual returns:
Kobe Bryant (Apr. 2013) - 240 days
Chauncey Billups (Feb. 2012) - 296 days
DeMarcus Cousins (Jan. 2018) - 357 days
Kevin Durant (Jun. 2019) - 552 days
Jayson Tatum's return will be after 298 days.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) March 5, 2026
Curiously, Tatum's hero Kobe Bryant returned to action nearly two full months sooner than Tatum.
Bryant tore his Achilles on April 12, 2013; he had surgery the next day and resumed playing that December.
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