Celtics GM Shares Jayson Tatum Update on Friday

Brown is averaging 29.5 points, 7 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while shooting by 48.6% from the field. He has led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference’s second-best record (33-18, tied with New York Knicks) and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

His performance has helped offset Tatum’s absence, fueling speculation about whether the star forward could still make a return this season. Tatum himself has added to that intrigue in recent weeks, acknowledging he feels progress in his rehab while stopping short of setting a timeline.

Those questions were addressed more directly by Brad Stevens, the Celtics' president of basketball operations, following the NBA trade deadline. Speaking to reporters, Stevens emphasized patience when discussing Tatum’s recovery.

“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 ready to do it,” Stevens said.

Stevens added: “He's hit a lot of the thresholds. He's doing more and more and will continue to do more and more. He's still got a ways to go” (via CLNS’s Noa Dalzell).

Boston’s cautious approach reflects the seriousness of Achilles injuries, which often require extended recovery periods and careful ramp-ups to avoid reinjury. Even with encouraging signs, the Celtics are prioritizing long-term health over short-term gains, especially given Tatum’s importance to the franchise.

At the same time, Boston signaled it remains firmly in win-now mode. Before the deadline, the Celtics acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls, sending Anfernee Simons the other way in a move designed to stabilize the frontcourt and bolster playoff readiness.

Despite the team’s impressive run without him, Tatum’s value remains unquestioned. The 27-year-old has averaged at least 26 points per game in each of the past five seasons, and his eventual return would immediately raise Boston’s ceiling as it pushes deeper into the postseason.

The Celtics host the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday.