Celtics Announce Big Jayson Tatum Decision Amid Injury Recovery

The Boston Celtics made a big decision with Jayson Tatum on Monday.

“Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon,” the Celtics posted on X. “Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.”

Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.

Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 9, 2026

Monday’s announcement comes one day after it was reported that Tatum had started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches.

The latest update that the six-time All-Star was set to practice with the Celtics’ G-League affiliate is big, and means that he’s another step closer to taking the court in Boston.

The timing is notable as well.

The Celtics are less than one week removed from acquiring two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bulls, but it’s also one day since Boston was blown out by the New York Knicks at TD Garden.

The Celtics posted their fewest points of the season in Sunday’s loss, suffering a 111-89 defeat.

It’s been nearly nine months since Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the team’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Knicks.

Boston is now tied with New York for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 34-19 and Sunday was a reminder that the Celtics will need a healthy Tatum to compete for Banner 19.