It’s been nearly nine months since Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the team’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks.
ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania gave a massive update on the 27-year-old’s status Sunday afternoon.
“Sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches,” Charania said on “ABC NBA Countdown.” “He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. Listen, there’s more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There’s more phases in his rehab. He’s got to practice with the team of course, and then, again, there’s also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude.”
Celtics reporter Bobby Krivitsky called the news a “significant step” in Tatum’s rehab.
Story continues below advertisement
“Per Shams, Jayson Tatum is participating in controlled 5-5 scrimmages with coaches. We’ve seen him handle contact well; this is another significant step in his road to recovery,” Krivitsky posted on Bluesky.
Charania’s update came two days after president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that the six-time All-Star had a “long way to go” before possibly returning this season.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s been assumed for much of the campaign that Tatum would be returning to the lineup at some point during the 2025-26 season.
He recently raised the possibility of waiting to come back until the 2026-27 campaign, however, as Boston continues to exceed expectations.
The Celtics entered Sunday’s matinee vs. the New York Knicks with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 34-18.
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Troy Taormina/Imagn Images
