The question of Jayson Tatum’s return from a torn Achilles has loomed over the Boston Celtics’ entire 2025-26 season. The team might be about to get the answer it didn’t want.
Prime Video’s Chris Haynes reported Wednesday that a recent and unspecified development has caused the Celtics star to re-evaluate his situation and consider sitting out the entire season. Haynes added he had recently heard Tatum was “getting close” to a return, but it’s now “up in the air” if he plays at all.
The news comes a day after Tatum expressed reluctance about making a return late in the season, which he worried would disrupt the chemistry the Celtics have developed without him, during an appearance on “The Pivot Podcast.”
“That’s something I contemplate every day,” Tatum said. “More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would’ve played 50 some-odd games without me. So they have an identity this year or things that they felt have clicked for them, and it’s been successful, right, third or second team in the East up to this point. So there is a thought in my head that’s like, how does that work or hows does that look with me integrating myself off an injury and 50-60 games into a season? There could obviously be some challenges and it is a thought, like damn? Do I come back or should I wait? It’s something that I honestly, recently in the last two weeks or so, just kind of contemplate every single day.”
Tatum tore his Achilles in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals and has had a hazy timetable to return ever since. Achilles tears are one of the most-feared injuries in all of sports, but Tatum’s youth at 27 years old and recent advancements in treatment invited optimism for this season.
Tatum refused to rule out a return before the season and showed off some dunking ability in October, while the Celtics were reported to be cautiously optimistic. Now, they might have to accept an All-NBA talent isn’t walking through that door until 2026-27.
It might be time to stop wondering what Jayson Tatum can add to this season’s Celtics team. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics have remained one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The team is tied for the second-best record in the East with a 29-18 record, thanks to a career season from Jaylen Brown and strong contributions from supporting cast members like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Neemia Queta.
Tatum is still under contract with the Celtics for four more seasons on his five-year, $304 million supermax deal.
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