Celtics Haven’t Ruled Out Jayson Tatum Return Late Next Season

Despite a crushing end to his 2025 playoff run, Jayson Tatum may return to the court sooner than expected, possibly before the 2025–26 regular season ends.

According to a new report from Steve Bulpett, the possibility of Tatum returning to the Celtics late in the 2025-26 regular season has not been ruled out. While nothing is confirmed, multiple scouts have indicated the 27-year-old star is progressing far ahead of schedule following his Achilles injury. After observing him at Chris Paul’s elite camp, one scout was stunned by how well Tatum was moving, even if he wasn’t cleared for full-speed activity.

“I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles tears, and he looked way ahead,” the scout told Bulpett. “I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving. Of course, he didn’t do any running or even jogging, but he was in great shape and he had no trouble doing his part at the camp.”

While no official timetable has been set for Tatum's return, Achilles injuries typically require 9–12 months of recovery, often sidelining players for an entire season. Even when players do return, most are usually never the same. In Tatum's case, however, his recovery is going much faster and smoother than normal. It also helps that he rushed to get his surgery.

"I have no idea what any of this means for when he can come back," said the scout. "I’m sure him and the Celtics’ medical people have their program set up, and they’ll make sure that he’s where he needs to be when he does get back. But he looks great right now."

At his best, Jayson Tatum is the face of the Celtics and one of the best players in the league. At 27 years old, he's a 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA player, and 1x NBA champion. In the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game on 45.2% shooting. He finished fourth in MVP voting, behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It wasn't until the playoffs that Tatum suffered an Achilles tear that altered the trajectory of his career. While his recovery is going well so far, there's still a long road ahead for Tatum, who has yet to be cleared for full physical activity.

For the Celtics, the waiting game starts now. After revamping their roster this summer, they know where they stand in the East, but if Jayson Tatum can return with enough games left, it'll provide a major spark for them next season. If not, they'll at least have guys like Anfernee Simons, Derrick White, and Xavier Tillman to make things interesting on the court.

 If Tatum’s recovery continues on this trajectory, the Celtics may get their franchise cornerstone back just in time for another deep playoff run. It’s still early, but for Boston and its fans, the hope is officially alive. A healthy Tatum changes their entire outlook and restores their championship ceiling. Until then, the franchise will focus on staying afloat and keeping the door open for a late-season return.