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Celtics’ Jayson Tatum not closing door on 2025–26 return from Achilles tear

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 3:58 PM ET

Celtics star Jayson Tatum isn’t ruling out a return this season as he recovers from Achilles surgery.

“I haven’t said I’m not playing this season,” Tatum said on ESPN’s First Take (via HoopsRumors). “The most important thing is a full recovery, being 100%, not rushing it at all. But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”

Tatum, 27, underwent surgery on May 13. Achilles injuries often sideline players for a full year, but Boston has yet to rule him out entirely. By contrast, the Pacers have already announced that guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss all of 2025–26 after suffering a similar injury in June.

Early updates on Tatum have been positive. His surgeon, Dr. Martin O’Malley, told People Magazine that the Celtics forward’s progress has been “remarkable.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen a person’s calf look as strong as his,” O’Malley said. “At six or eight weeks he was doing double heel rises. He worked his calf so hard that the side effect of loss of strength, I don’t think he’s going to have any.”

Boston’s medical staff will ultimately decide whether Tatum sees the floor this season, and much could depend on how the Celtics perform without their leading scorer. If the team is struggling after the All-Star break, there won’t be urgency to bring him back.

For now, Tatum is focused on staying connected.

“I’m going to be at practices and go to games and travel,” he said. “As frustrating as it’ll be to not be able to play, feeling like I’m a part of the team will help me out.”