Boston Celtics swingman Jayson Tatum may be returning to his duties sooner rather than later. On Thursday, Dec. 18, @courtsidebuzzig on Instagram shared a carousel post that covers Tatum’s right Achilles injury, which has since sidelined him in the 2025-26 NBA season.
It is highlighted that Tatum, as per basketball reporter Chris Haynes, plans on making a triumphant return in the current campaign. This may come as a surprise to many, as torn Achilles injuries usually take an entire season to recover from, and most players who suffer from them opt to use the whole campaign to make sure that they are at a 100% state when they eventually return.
“BREAKING: Jayson Tatum told Chris Haynes that he WILL return to the Boston Celtics lineup at some point in the 2025-26 NBA season. Tatum tore his Achilles in May 2025 & has been back on the court, practicing since September. Video shows Tatum going full speed 7 months after surgery. Should Tatum return or sit out the entire season? 🤔,” @courtsidebuzzig on Instagram captioned with a thinking emoji.
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If Tatum does have plans on returning somewhere in the current year, it will most likely be towards the tail end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, or even the postseason if the Celtics qualify for it. Nevertheless, it seems as though Tatum is holding down the fort and is progressing towards a return, much to the delight of the Boston Celtics, who have since been led by the 2024 Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown.
Tatum suffered his torn Achilles heel in the Celtics’ 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals Game 4 against then-coach Tom Thibodeau’s New York Knicks, a series Boston ended up losing, 4-2, and put an end to their 2024 NBA title defense. Tatum got the injury as he was diving for a loose ball on the offensive end, causing his right heel to snap.
The Boston Celtics Are Currently The Fourth Seed In The 2025-26 Eastern Conference Standings
As it stands, even without the services of Jayson Tatum, coach Joe Mazzulla‘s current crop of the Boston Celtics has held its own towards a No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 15-11.
They lost by seven points, 112-105, to coach JB Bickerstaff’s Detroit Pistons on Monday, Dec. 15, and are looking to get back on the win column against the Miami Heat on Friday, Dec. 19.
Read More: Duke Basketball Shows off Jayson Tatum Going Head-to-Head Against Their No.1 pick in the NBA Playoffs
Also Read: “It Killed Me”: Jaylen Brown Breaks Silence On “No Left Hand” Jokes In Emotional Outburst
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