Nine months following his Achilles tendon rupture during a playoff game against the New York Knicks, Jayson Tatum continues to advance his rehabilitation as he aims for a return this NBA season with the Boston Celtics. His recent assignment to the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, marked a significant step in his recovery process.
Participation in Full Team Practices
On Monday, Tatum took part in five-on-five practice sessions with Celtics rostered players, two-way players, and G League teammates. NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that this was Tatum’s first full scrimmage alongside his Boston teammates, rather than just controlled drills with coaches. This shift represents an important milestone in his comeback.
“Jayson Tatum participated fully in his first 5-on-5 scrimmage with Celtics rostered players, two-way players, G League players, not just coaches,”
Charania stated on NBA Today.
“And everyone I spoke to with knowledge of Monday’s practice told me Tatum looked great. He’s been ramping up.”
?Shams Charania, NBA Insider
Implications for Celtics’ Season Outlook
Boston has displayed strong performance this season with a 34-19 record, holding the second-best standing in the Eastern Conference despite Tatum’s absence. His potential return before the playoffs is seen as a major boost to the team’s championship chances. However, the Celtics have yet to finalize a decision on whether to reinstate Tatum for the remainder of the current season.
Upcoming Schedule and Team Focus
As the Celtics prepare for their final game before the All-Star Break against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden, the team’s focus remains on maintaining their momentum while monitoring Tatum’s progress closely. Continued cautious optimism surrounds his recovery timeline and the impact his return could have during the critical postseason period.
New on NBA Today — Boston's Jayson Tatum participated Monday in five-on-five practice sessions with Celtics rostered teammates, two-way players and G Leaguers, an important step in comeback from torn Achilles: pic.twitter.com/EIKUmVapXO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2026
