Celtics forward Jayson Tatum on Monday took the latest step in his recovery process when he was assigned to take part in portions of the Maine Celtics’ practice at the Auerbach Center.
The team said that at the conclusion of practice, which would also include guard Hugo Gonzalez and center Amari Williams, Tatum would be recalled to the Celtics to continue rehabbing his Achilles injury.
Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Knicks last May, and his training since has mostly taken place behind closed doors.
ESPN reported Sunday that Tatum has been taking part in controlled five-on-five scrimmages with the Celtics’ coaching staff.
Tatum has made it clear that he would like to return this season, but neither he nor the Celtics have stated whether that will happen. During an appearance on “The Pivot Podcast” last month, Tatum for the first time cast doubt on the possibility of a return, sharing some wariness about the possibility of disturbing a Celtics team that has pushed into second place in the East.
“The best time for Jayson Tatum to come back is when he’s 110 percent healthy, he’s fully cleared by everybody that matters in that decision, and he’s got great peace of mind and he’s ready to do it,” Stevens said. “That’s it. That’s the objective and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”
The Celtics face the Bulls on Wednesday before taking a week off for the All-Star break. The team will then depart for a four-game Western Conference road trip. Near the start of this season, Tatum said that if he does return this year, his first game back will be at TD Garden.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m excited for the C’s to go on a great playoff run, where we manage to go win the conference only to face a much better team in the championship round. I mean, how bad could it really be to be outmatched & embarrassed on the national stage?
I wish he was playing tomorrow in Maine. That would be amazing
Love hearing Hugo will be at the practice.
More face time with the big man and develop off the court chemistry lol
Crustacean Nation, rise up
I really like and understand the logic behind sending Tatum with Hugo
If he can score/play basketball against a maniac like Hugo guarding him then he’s absolutely ready
Maine Red Claws legend Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr.
A little peace of me dies inside every time I read “Maine Celtics”. It never should’ve been changed from the Red Claws, and whatever marketing person came up with the change should’ve been laughed out of the building when they made the suggestion.
We are so back!!!
Does this mean the Maine Celtics came down to Boston just for JT if the practice was at the Auerbach Center?
Whenever he comes back, I just hope fans are patient. It might look rough for a month – hell it might look rough for 6 months. But he will be back to being a great player in this league.
15 comments
From [Globe.com](http://Globe.com)
By Adam Himmelsbach
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum on Monday took the latest step in his recovery process when he was assigned to take part in portions of the Maine Celtics’ practice at the Auerbach Center.
The team said that at the conclusion of practice, which would also include guard Hugo Gonzalez and center Amari Williams, Tatum would be recalled to the Celtics to continue rehabbing his Achilles injury.
Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Knicks last May, and his training since has mostly taken place behind closed doors.
ESPN reported Sunday that Tatum has been taking part in controlled five-on-five scrimmages with the Celtics’ coaching staff.
Tatum has made it clear that he would like to return this season, but neither he nor the Celtics have stated whether that will happen. During an appearance on “The Pivot Podcast” last month, Tatum for the first time cast doubt on the possibility of a return, sharing some wariness about the possibility of disturbing a Celtics team that has pushed into second place in the East.
But last Friday, [Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made it clear](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/06/sports/brad-stevens-celtics/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) that if Tatum is completely healthy and comfortable, there is no doubt his return would be a positive development for the team.
“The best time for Jayson Tatum to come back is when he’s 110 percent healthy, he’s fully cleared by everybody that matters in that decision, and he’s got great peace of mind and he’s ready to do it,” Stevens said. “That’s it. That’s the objective and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”
The Celtics face the Bulls on Wednesday before taking a week off for the All-Star break. The team will then depart for a four-game Western Conference road trip. Near the start of this season, Tatum said that if he does return this year, his first game back will be at TD Garden.
https://preview.redd.it/bb7oshnqjoig1.png?width=480&format=png&auto=webp&s=b5f808129e917c0d3b206c3df5096cce40cfb0e5
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m excited for the C’s to go on a great playoff run, where we manage to go win the conference only to face a much better team in the championship round. I mean, how bad could it really be to be outmatched & embarrassed on the national stage?
I wish he was playing tomorrow in Maine. That would be amazing
Love hearing Hugo will be at the practice.
More face time with the big man and develop off the court chemistry lol
Crustacean Nation, rise up
I really like and understand the logic behind sending Tatum with Hugo
If he can score/play basketball against a maniac like Hugo guarding him then he’s absolutely ready
Maine Red Claws legend Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr.
A little peace of me dies inside every time I read “Maine Celtics”. It never should’ve been changed from the Red Claws, and whatever marketing person came up with the change should’ve been laughed out of the building when they made the suggestion.
We are so back!!!
Does this mean the Maine Celtics came down to Boston just for JT if the practice was at the Auerbach Center?
Whenever he comes back, I just hope fans are patient. It might look rough for a month – hell it might look rough for 6 months. But he will be back to being a great player in this league.