Jayson Tatum Gives Celtics Fans Cause For Optimism

Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Boston Celtics’ Eastern Conference Semifinals loss to the New York Knicks last season. He’s expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 NBA season.

However, in recent weeks, Tatum has been releasing video footage of his recovery on social media. It started with the All-Star forward walking without a protective boot and has progressed to him doing a standstill dunk and even working on his off-the-dribble shooting at a walking pace.

Those videos have given Celtics fans cause for optimism. There’s a growing hope that Tatum could return to Joe Mazzulla’s rotation before the end of the current season. During a recent appearance on “The Morris Code” podcast, Tatum offered further insight into his recovery and rehabilitation.

“I’m feeling better, though,” Tatum said. “I’ve had 29 weeks to really work on my body. This is the strongest I’ve ever been, the best the rest of my body has ever felt…I need to be 100% before I get back on the court.”

When Tatum does return to the rotation, he will need some time to get back up to speed. Being medically cleared and being in NBA game shape are two totally different things. Furthermore, he can’t be expected to hit the ground running as an All-NBA type talent. It could take months before we see him back to his best.

Still, Tatum is clearly putting in the work and trusting the process his doctors and trainers have laid out for him. If he does return this season, he will likely elevate the Celtics to a level where they could contend for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Nevertheless, we’re still a while away from getting Tatum back on the court. But when that day does come, expect the TD Garden to be deafening. With all the effort he’s putting in, he’s earned a hero’s welcome.