Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has reportedly considered missing the 2025-26 NBA season. It was reported earlier that he considered returning by March, but the All-Star forward has seemingly taken a U-turn. NBA insider Chris Haynes was the first to report the latest development on Tatum’s plans to return this season on Wednesday.
Tatum suffered an Achilles tear in the 2025 playoffs’ second round. He was penciled in to miss the 2025-26 season, but after showing surprising recovery speed, there were murmurs of him becoming available later in the year for a playoff push.
The Celtics are 29-18, third in the Eastern Conference, despite his absence. Tatum’s presence could have pushed them higher. But for now, he’s considering not returning at all. Haynes reported on “The Association” that a final decision hasn’t been made.
Re-integrating Tatum into the mix could limit Boston’s ceiling this season. The team has changed since Tatum’s final game, in which the Celtics still rostered Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Potentially disrupting the team’s rhythm could be holding the 2024 NBA champion back from pushing for an early return.
Achilles injuries can also be mentally challenging to overcome. If Jayson Tatum were to return in March, he would be pushing himself more than if he were to play earlier in the season, with the playoffs fast approaching.
Jayson Tatum has been contemplating returning this season
Before Chris Haynes’ report from Wednesday, Jayson Tatum opened up on his thoughts about returning this season from an Achilles tear. During an appearance on the “Pivot Podcast,” Tatum gave deep insights into his process and the next steps, saying:
“If or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50 some odd games without me. They have things that have clicked and have been successful, so there’s a thought in my head like how does that look when I come back? Damn, do I come back or should I wait. I contemplate it every single day.”
Tatum is one of the most adaptable superstars. However, he’s a high usage player at the end of the day by design, and it wouldn’t make sense if Boston green-lights his return to play in a diminished role until the end of the season.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
