NBA injury report: Stunning comeback expected as Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum nears emotional return after devastating Achilles injury

The long-awaited day has finally come for Boston Celtics supporters. Almost 300 days after rupturing his Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, star forward Jayson Tatum has been officially upgraded to questionable for Friday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks.According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Celtics forward Tatum will allegedly return during Friday's (March 5) game against the Dallas Mavericks, less than ten months after having surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Tatum has been stepping up his rehabilitation efforts in recent weeks after missing the entire season due to an Achilles ailment, which has sparked rumors that he may return soonAccording to reports, a comeback against the Dallas Mavericks as early as March 4 may be imminent. Charania wrote on X:"BREAKING: Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon..”He continued:"There's an expectation that Jayson Tatum will make his 2025-26 season debut for the Boston Celtics on Friday night at TD Garden versus Dallas, sources tell ESPN. Tatum has been described as ready to go and will inform the Celtics of a final decision over the next day."With little over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, Tatum, 27, sustained the injury. Before leaving the game, the six-time All-Star finished with a playoff-high 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks.If Tatum is allowed to play, it will be his season debut and a testament to his incredibly speedy recovery from such a catastrophic injury. The six-time All-Star will have the opportunity to return in front of the Boston supporters at TD Garden on Friday, as he stated months ago.It was the Celtics that broke this important news. It's also important to remember that Boston has three straight road games following hosting Dallas, even though Tatum's condition is still technically uncertain. Tatum will therefore have to wait until Saturday, March 14th, when the Celtics play the Washington Wizards at home, if he doesn't suit up on Friday.At the time of his injury, Tatum had just won his first NBA title. The Celtics are currently ranked third in the Eastern Conference standings after going 34-19 in their first 53 games of the 82-game 2025–26 season. They are tied with the Knicks of the Atlantic Division, however they have two less division victories and one more conference loss.The Celtics are in second place in the Eastern Conference after going 41-21 without Tatum. Without their go-to guy, their success is undeniable, but it doesn't mean they've been flawless. Actually, they recently lost to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night by the largest margin of the season (29 points).Tatum finished fourth in the MVP voting last season with an average of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Over his first eight NBA seasons, he averaged 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.