Jayson Tatum is on the mend after a significant Achilles injury during the 2025 Playoffs. He has become more focused on recovering, which has made the Celtics’ front office happy about his future.
In the modern NBA, major injuries to superstars are usually game-changing for their franchises. Jayson Tatum is a good example of this, as he is integral to the Boston Celtics‘ competitive future. His Achilles injury is why people are not calling the Celtics contenders in the 2025-26 season.
The same goes for Tyrese Haliburton, as he also suffered the same injury. The Indiana Pacers just forced Game 7 in the NBA Finals, but they will likely not get to that stage again without their star guard.
Thankfully, both players are doing well with their injury rehabilitation. Tatum, in particular, has impressed the Celtics’ front office because he has been laser-focused on recovering for the team’s future.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesTatum has done his best to help the team by focusing on his recovery
As the Celtics’ best player, Tatum is crucial to the team’s success. They want him to be healthy because no one can replace his production. The scoring is elite, and when combined with Jaylen Brown’s skill set, the Celtics are tough to beat.
They were fresh off a championship in 2024, but the 2025 Playoffs were mediocre by their standards. After that, the Celtics should be motivated to perform better the next time they are healthy.
Most people think the 2025-26 season will be sort of a gap year for Boston. Brown will likely have a big year alongside Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. During this time, the Celtics will want to stay competitive.
However, Tatum’s recovery is going well enough for them to remain excited about the future.
“The Celtics are very happy with how hard Jayson Tatum has been working at his rehab and his level of focus and intensity in the rehab process,” Marc Bertrand and Scott Zolak said on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
“He did not leave town. He’s been here the entire time. He was not asked to stay here every time. Most athletes go to Florida, California, or Arizona, and meet with guys who are not on your team.”
“Since the injury, he has not left town, and he has been inside the building at the Celtics facility with their people and their team. Almost every single day for months.”
The Celtics have a bright future when Tatum returns
With Tatum focused on helping the Celtics when he comes back, the future remains bright for the Celtics. They might not have the 2025-26 season as a championship-contending year, but when Tatum returns, they will still have a solid core in Boston.
Brown, White, Pritchard, and Tatum still make up a fantastic core. With Joe Mazzulla’s coaching, the franchise is in good hands. That gets even better when they have a superstar like Tatum, who is firmly within the top 10 players in the league.
This gap year could also work wonders for the rest of the team, as they can build their confidence and develop further. Some have predicted that Brown could become an All-NBA player during Tatum’s absence, which will put the Celtics in an ideal position to compete when their superstar returns.