Jayson Tatum just gave Celtics fans cause for excitement

Celtics fans were undoubtedly thrilled with the footage Tatum provided. After all, the majority of the fan base has resigned itself to not seeing the All-NBA forward for the upcoming campaign. However, his latest video is giving those same fans reason to dream, especially if the Celtics defy expectations and are in the mix for strong playoff seeding later in the season. 

Jayson Tatum is still far away from being ready

Despite the encouraging footage and Tatum's rapid healing process, he remains miles away from being ready to return to the court. Not only does he need to improve his overall conditioning and shake off any rust, but he's likely months away from being medically cleared. 

There will be a clear plan on how Tatum is supposed to progress. That will likely include graduating from jogging to sprinting, adding in lateral movements at speed and then progressing all the way back to five-on-five with full contact. The blueprint is clearly working, but he's still at the very bottom of that metaphorical staircase. 

Nevertheless, there is a genuine reason for optimism. Players don't usually bounce back this quickly, and there will certainly be discussion surrounding the benefits of having surgery within 24 hours of the injury. 

If Tatum is cleared to play early next year, he could immediately change the outlook of the Celtics' season. And while that's still too early to guarantee, it's looking increasingly likely we will see him back on the court before we enter the summer of 2026.