Jayson Tatum returned to the basketball court on Monday, sporting a green Maine jersey with his familiar No. 0, signaling progress in his ongoing Jayson Tatum Achilles recovery. The practice took place at the Celtics’ Auerbach Center facility rather than the usual TD Garden, as he joined Boston‘s G League affiliate for a workout session. Despite this positive development, Tatum remained cautious about his timeline for returning to NBA game action this season.
The Celtics star, now 39 weeks post-surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals, described the session as an important step but not a final decision on his comeback.
“It was the next step. It doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not. I’m just following the plan, so it’s just another step,”
Tatum said, reflecting his deliberate approach.
Progress Through Rehabilitation and Emotional Challenges
Addressing the Boston media for the first time since September’s training camp, Tatum admitted the difficulty of being sidelined this season. His injury has kept him out for more regular-season games (53) than he missed prior to this point in his entire NBA career (51). Though he has supported the team by attending nearly every game and participating in meetings and film analysis, his primary emphasis has been on the exhausting physical recovery process.
Since the season began last fall, Tatum’s rehabilitation has advanced from individual on-court drills to one-on-one sessions with coaches and, most recently, to the intensity of full 5-on-5 team workouts. Monday’s practice with Maine was his first competitive team activity since sustaining the injury and the most significant milestone in moving closer to potential game action.
Previously, the Celtics employed a similar rehab approach with big man Kristaps Porzingis, who practiced with Maine’s G League squad before returning to play eight days later, suggesting a possible return framework for Tatum.
Coach Mazzulla Highlights Tatum’s Consistent Advancement
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Tatum’s steady progress, noting the many stages of recovery the All-NBA wing has undergone.
“He’s in the 39th week in his progression,”
Mazzulla said.
“He’s continuing to just chip away at the progression of his rehab, and it was great to see him take another step. There’s been a lot of steps and milestones along the way, starting from just walking, and it was great to see him get to the next one.”
Mazzulla emphasized that Monday’s practice was a mental, physical, and emotional milestone for Tatum, recognizing the significant effort the player has invested to reach this point. Boston teammates Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams also took part in the session.
“I think yesterday was a good milestone for him mentally, physically, emotionally,”
Mazzulla added,
“but it’s a good milestone to see the work that he’s put in to get back up to this point.”
Remaining Hurdles in Tatum’s Path to Full Return
Despite these positive signs, Tatum still faces additional benchmarks before he can be cleared for NBA game action. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens noted that the star forward has
“still has a ways to go”
in his recovery. Meanwhile, Tatum has been contemplating how he will mesh with Boston’s roster, which has thrived without him this season.
During a recent podcast appearance, Tatum acknowledged potential challenges in reintegrating with a team that has evolved during his absence, particularly as the Celtics’ current rotation includes players like center Luka Garza, rookie wing Hugo Gonzalez, and recent acquisition Nikola Vucevic—three who have yet to share the court with him. Additionally, key teammates such as Jaylen Brown have stepped up considerably, with Brown leading the Celtics in scoring and earning his first All-Star starter nod.
Reflecting on the adjustment, Tatum said,
“Yeah, I mean, it might look different. I haven’t played with these guys or with this group, but (the Celtics have) lot of high-IQ guys out there. I like to consider myself one of those types of players. So if that did present itself, and if I did come back, we professionals will figure it out.”
Uncertainty About Role and Return Details Remain
Questions remain about Tatum’s role once he returns, including whether he might come off the bench or face minute restrictions to ease back into competition. Mazzulla avoided answering such specifics, instead focusing on Tatum’s current efforts and progression.
“I picture how it went yesterday — the next step in the progression of being on the court with the Maine team,”
Mazzulla said.
“I picture him out there like he was yesterday. I picture him in the weight room, continuing to get better. I picture him in his workouts, continuing to get better. And I picture the progressions continuing forward of just getting better and better and making sure he’s where he wants to be before we talk about that.”
Celtics Prepare for Upcoming Schedule as Tatum Eyes Long-Term Recovery
The Celtics currently hold the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing Detroit and New York. Their schedule includes a game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden before the NBA All-Star break, followed by a tough four-game road trip across the West Coast. Afterward, Boston will return home to face the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks in early March.
Tatum previously expressed that his first game back would likely take place on Boston’s home court. However, he reiterated,
“I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m still just going through the progressions of rehab. I’m not saying I’m coming back or I’m not. It’s all about being 100% healthy and going through the plan of this protocol.”
Tatum Reflects on His Rehabilitation Journey and Team Dynamics
The Celtics star also addressed recent comments about reevaluating his return, explaining the reflection that comes from spending months rehabbing.
“I think over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hands,”
he said.
“You think about a lot of things, and you’re just hyper-aware of what’s going on. I think it just stemmed from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team, but I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well. And not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment and talking from that perspective.”
For now, Jayson Tatum’s recovery marks a critical milestone, representing cautious optimism combined with the harsh realities of returning from a serious injury. The Celtics organization, led by Mazzulla and Stevens, continues to support the star forward’s incremental progress, ensuring that he reaches full health before resuming competition. How Tatum’s reintegration will reshape Boston’s lineup remains uncertain, with the team relying on its current momentum as Tatum works toward a hopeful comeback.
One day at a time ☝️ pic.twitter.com/5SHGz0k2GQ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 10, 2026
