Jayson Tatum Will Play for Celtics in 2026, Could Debut on Friday

Jayson Tatum will return to the Celtics during the 2025–26 season.

ESPN’s Shams Charania is reporting the six-time All-Star will play this season, and could debut as soon as Friday at home against the Mavericks. Charania claims Tatum is “ready to go” and will make a final decision on his status over the next day. The star was upgraded on the team’s injury report to questionable ahead of Friday’s clash.

The six-time All-Star has been out for the entire season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon during the second round of the playoffs in 2025. It was uncertain whether Tatum would return during the 2025–26 campaign, as recovery from Achilles surgery can take up to a year.

Boston is currently 41–21 and occupy the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Tatum will likely be eased back in, but his return will be welcome for a Celtics team chasing its second championship in three seasons.

Celtics have stepped up without Tatum

Against all odds, the Celtics have been really good this season without Tatum playing. Several players have stepped up in his absence, which should help the team once he’s fully reintegrated into the rotation.

Jaylen Brown has had a career year without Tatum playing. The 29-year-old is averaging career-highs in points (28.9), rebounds (7.2), and assists (5.0), while hitting 48.0% of his shots from the field and 34.8% from three-point range.

Guard Derrick White has also hit career-highs in points (17.3), assists (5.7) and steals (1.2) as well. Peyton Prichard moved into Boston’s starting lineup in Tatum’s absence to start the year and is notching career-highs in points (16.8), assists (5.3), rebounds (4.1) and minutes (32.4)

Details of Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury

Tatum's return should provide a huge boost for the Celtics, but it may take time for him to reintegrate into the team. He had excellent numbers last season and led Boston to a 61-21 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. During the regular season, he averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game, en route to being named first team All-NBA for the fourth time.

That impressive season came to an end in Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round series against the New York Knicks. With 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of the contest, Tatum suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg while attempting to dive for a loose ball. It was later revealed that he had torn his right Achilles tendon. He underwent surgery the next day.

It was a devastating blow to Boston, who lost the series to New York 4-2.

What to expect from Jayson Tatum in his return

Tatum is 28, and as far as direct comparisons to another star player returning from an Achilles tear at the same age, there aren’t many. Especially not guys who returned the next season.

The closest comparison given Tatum’s size, age and production is Kevin Durant, who tore his Achilles at 30 years old while playing for the Warriors during the 2019 NBA Finals. Unlike Tatum, he sat out the entire next season and didn’t return until December of 2020.

When Durant did return as a member of the Nets, his production remained relatively equal. During the 2018-19 season, he averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He also shot 52.1% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. During his comeback season in 2020-21, Durant’s production and efficiency were actually better. In 35 games that season, Durant averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 53.7% from the field and 45.0% from three-point range.

Given that Tatum’s return has happened much faster than Durant’s, looking for him to immediately produce as well as he did last season would be a stretch. That said, Durant proved that a star player can return to his former prowess despite suffering an Achilles tear.

Celtics have stepped up without Tatum

Details of Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury

What to expect from Jayson Tatum in his return

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