Celtics Play-By-Play Announcer Talks Jayson Tatum Return

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has reportedly begun participating in controlled, five-on-five scrimmages. He’s also working with the Maine Celtics, reports on Monday indicated.

Celtics play-by-play announcer Drew Carter appeared on The Kevin O’Connor Show on Monday to discuss Tatum’s possible return, although he wasn’t able to provide an estimate on a return date when prompted by KOC.

Carter suggested that there might not even be an internal return date that Tatum and the Celtics are looking at yet, and that they’re instead taking things as they go.

Drew Carter on Jayson Tatum’s return: “All year I’ve thought he’s going to try to play and nothing has changed my mind on that.” @Drewdle25 https://t.co/y3o5LeaJmy pic.twitter.com/e6wPqUaarC

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) February 9, 2026

“I thought from the jump that he’s going to play (this season),” Carter added. “That’s just my gut feeling, based on a couple of things. Number one, he’s been with the team the entire season. … The other things is, he’s been very public about his recovery. This has not been entirely behind closed doors.”

“I don’t know how close he really is,” Carter continued. “I don’t know if he’s going to play this season. But I’ll just say that I’ve thought all year that he’s going to try to play this season, and nothing has changed my mind on that.”