Could Jayson Tatum actually play meaningful games for the Boston Celtics in 2025-26?
That question has picked up steam recently as the superstar forward continues to attack his rehab from a ruptured Achilles in mid-May. And there’s plenty working in Tatum’s favor: He underwent surgery immediately after his injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, he’s just 27 years old, and he’s an incredibly hard worker, all of which could accelerate his recovery process.
But even if Tatum’s Achilles fully heals in, say, nine or 10 months, should the Celtics put him back on the court in February or March, especially if they’re fighting for a spot in the playoffs? While that sounds tempting in theory — a fully-healthy Tatum would make the C’s a serious postseason threat — former Celtic and NBC Sports Boston color analyst Brian Scalabrine would like to offer a word of caution.
🔊 Celtics Talk Podcast: Scal & Drew break down the Celtics’ 2025-26 regular season schedule | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
“There’s a reason (the NBA season) is 82 games,” Scalabrine told co-host Drew Carter on a new Celtics Talk Podcast. “Just watch a playoff game and watch a preseason game: There’s so many levels in between. Getting thrown back into the middle of a race where you’re trying to get out of the play-in (tournament) and you’re playing these meaningful, high-level games, that is not ideal — not (just) for your Achilles, but for your body. There needs to be some build-up.”
Scalabrine clarified that he’s not putting any limitations on Tatum, adding that the superstar forward is a “top-five well-trained athlete in basketball” who takes incredible care of his body and will do everything he can to return to action as soon as possible.
But practically speaking, Scalabrine believes a late-season return would be difficult for the Celtics to manage, especially for a player of Tatum’s stature who would be expected to be his superstar self whenever he’s on the court.
“It’s easy to do it if you’re me: I sub in, it’s the second quarter, I sub out like five minutes later, and those are my minutes,” Scalabrine said. “So, is Jayson Tatum gonna start? Is he gonna end the game? There’s moments where the game is less talented. Is he gonna play in those moments?
“… How do you build up? How do you get your legs without doing it at the highest level? Is he gonna play 10 minutes a game for a month? So, that’s what I’m asking. Star players, they get thrown in there, they’re required to do everything. I don’t know if that demand on your body is too much.”
The Celtics have avoided placing any timelines on Tatum, which also means they haven’t ruled him out for the 2025-26 season. And if Tatum feels he’s healthy enough to play in February, March or even April, you know he’ll be pushing hard to make a comeback.
As Scalabrine warns, however, such a comeback might be easier said than done.
“I don’t know anything, I’m not a doctor or anything like that. I just know this: NBA basketball in October does not look like NBA basketball in April,” Scalabrine added.
“… October and April are not the same. We think (they are) because we’re there every single day and we see this natural build-up. But if you watch in October and then all of a sudden you watch playoff game, you’re gonna be like ‘Whoa, this is way different.'”
Also in this episode:
- Celtics start the season with divisional matchups against the Sixers and Knicks.
- When do former Celtics players make their returns to TD Garden?
- Cooper Flagg’s debut in Boston could be the toughest ticket of the season.
- Other notable matchups for the Celtics.
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