After a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, the Boston Celtics look to be on the mend as they have won four of their last five games. Off the court, one person who has been paying close attention to the team’s performance is superstar forward Jayson Tatum.
After suffering an Achilles tendon tear in last year’s playoffs, Tatum has worked tirelessly over the past few months to return to action. All signs point to him being ahead of schedule, and the door has been left open for him to potentially suit up sometime later this year.
While there is a lot of buzz surrounding Tatum’s potential return, he is shrugging off the noise. The 2024 NBA champion continues to attack his injury rehabilitation, as he can often be seen hitting shots at the Celtics’ practice facility. On Tuesday, Tatum revealed that he has completed his 28th week of rehab, which means he’s just one step closer to taking the court for Boston.
Tatum’s absence, combined with the offseason departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet, has put the C’s in a tough position this season. And yet, even though they are not finished, they remain competitive to start the new year.
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If Boston is still in the playoff race when the calendar turns to April, the team could seriously consider getting Tatum back on the court. At the end of the day, the Celtics’ main goal is to compete next season, but anything is possible in the NBA.
In the meantime, Jaylen Brown and company will continue to hold down the fort while Tatum continues to do the necessary work behind the scenes. Boston returns to action on Wednesday evening, where it will try to snap the Detroit Pistons’ 13-game winning streak.
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