NBA injury update: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum receive promising news as he advances in Achilles recovery

With a 34-18 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have been having a fantastic season without their franchise player, Jayson Tatum. On the Tatum front, they may be receiving a significant update, though. Achilles, Tatum, is now able to participate in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages with the coaching staff.

It is obvious that the Celtics will not bring him back until Tatum is completely sure of his Achilles, and if that means he has to wait until 2026–2027, then the team will accept that. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Jayson Tatum has met yet another milestone in his Achilles rehabilitation.

Jayson Tatum takes key rehab step with controlled scrimmages as Boston Celtics await return decision

Although this is by no means a major update, fantasy managers will accept what they can for now. There is still no set return date for Tatum, and there have been mixed rumors about whether he will try to make a comeback this season.

On the network's pregame broadcast on Sunday, Charania stated that the Celtics star "has started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches." Compared to the one-on-one training that reporters have been witnessing in recent weeks, that is a step forward.

Shams Charania of ESPN claims that Tatum has begun participating in regulated basketball workouts, such as five-on-five scrimmages.:

“Sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches. He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn…there’s more phases in his rehab, he has to practice with his team of course, and then again there's also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude, a torn achilles, in May..”




He continued:

“To a really good team that has aspirations to advance in the playoffs. Jayson Tatum has made clear to the people around him that he wants to come back as close to Jayson Tatum as possible, not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself...."

He further added:

"And the other side of all that is the Celtics’ medical staff will have to clear him 100% before he can return, and he himself will have to feel 100% confidence and trust in that leg before he makes a potential return this season..”

With his co-star Jaylen Brown, who is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the charge, his teammates have come together in his absence. This does not, however, imply that Tatum should miss this season. Ultimately, Tatum has the final say over whether or not he comes back. However, he ought to come back to Banner 19 to give his squad their best chance if he is comfortable being himself.

Boston Celtics maintain cautious stance on Jayson Tatum’s return amid strong recovery progress

Tatum has admitted that reintegrating into a Boston club that has performed well without him could present "challenges." According to a later story, he was "reevaluating" whether to play this season or wait until 2026-2027.

The Celtics want the same, Stevens said.

“The best (time) for Jayson Tatum to come back is when he’s 110% healthy, he’s fully cleared by everybody that matters in that decision, and he’s got great peace of mind and he’s ready to do it,” Stevens said in his post-trade deadline news conference. “That’s it. That’s the objective, and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”

When asked whether the Celtics have an internal return date for Tatum,

Stevens replied: “When we feel 100%, it’ll be a group getting together and talking…”

He said:

“I think our medical people are really good.. I think his doctors are really good. So we’re going to listen to them. He’s listening to them. I think (trainer) Nick (Sang) and (Taum) have had an amazing work ethic throughout this whole recovery. When it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it…"

He further added:

"There’s still no force from us. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not going to be any of us saying, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just take another week?’ When he’s ready, he’s ready.”

Tatum played 36.4 minutes per game in 72 games last season, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, six assists, and 1.1 steals. Because he could score, grab rebounds, create plays, and anchor down on defense by earning a steal almost every game, he was the engine of their offense.


Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.