Jalen Brunson Makes Stance Clear On Jayson Tatum’s Potential Return

On Saturday, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was asked about Jayson Tatum’s potential return this season for the Boston Celtics.

“He’s a very dangerous player in our league, and so obviously seeing him go down last year, it sucks to see,” Brunson said. “The fact that he’s worked so hard to get to where he is, and is preparing to come back, is a testament to who he is. Basketball fans around the world definitely are excited to see him come back.”

Jalen Brunson was asked about Jayson Tatum’s looming return: “

“He’s a very dangerous player in our league, and so obviously seeing him go down last year, it sucks to see.”

“The fact that he's worked so hard to get to where he is, and is preparing to come back, is a testament… pic.twitter.com/NHmJ4gJVCD

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) February 14, 2026

Tatum has made steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in May 2025 during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks.

Recent developments show Tatum advancing through key stages. In early February, the Celtics assigned him to participate in portions of a practice with their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, at the Auerbach Center. This included his first 5-on-5 scrimmage since the injury, involving rostered players, two-way players, and G Leaguers. Tatum described the session as the next logical step in his plan, noting he felt good afterward and emphasizing a focus on daily improvement without committing to an immediate return. He stressed following the structured progression to ensure full readiness.

Teammate Jaylen Brown offered positive feedback recently, stating that Tatum “looks pretty damn good” based on what he’s observed during this phase. Reports indicate Tatum has ramped up activity aggressively, with no setbacks mentioned, and he continues individual on-court work alongside team integration efforts. Celtics president Brad Stevens has maintained a cautious approach, prioritizing Tatum being fully cleared medically and mentally at 110% before any game action.

While a return this season remains possible, Tatum has expressed that he wants to come back at full strength, not as a diminished version of himself. Discussions continue, with no firm timeline set.