Joe Mazzulla had perfect quote on Jayson Tatum's potential return

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Joe Mazzulla had an all-time quote on Jayson Tatum's potential return

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 3:15 PM ET

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has become known for his memorable quotes.

With reports coming out on Thursday that Jayson Tatum could make his season debut on Friday, Mazzulla responded to that possibility perfectly.

“I might not even be alive by that day. I go to bed questionable, I wake up probable,” Mazzulla said during an interview on "Zolak & Bertrand."

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that there was an “expectation” of Tatum making his season debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden.

“I MIGHT NOT BE ALIVE… I GO TO BED QUESTIONABLE, I WAKE UP PROBABLE.”

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla when asked if Jayson Tatum will return in March ️

Another all-time quote from Mazzulla!

Via. @NBCSBoston / @ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/cYQx6SGNTJ
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) March 5, 2026

Tatum has been out since the Eastern Conference playoffs last year following a torn Achilles, but his return date has been a discussion point lately.

Mazzulla was asked in February if Tatum participated in practice, and instead of answering the question, he gave a blank stare for a few seconds, so the Celtics coach has remained coy on the Tatum injury front.

Regardless, the good news is that Tatum will make his season debut at some point. If it isn’t on Friday, the Celtics’ next game is on Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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