Celtics Assign Jayson Tatum to G League After Taking 'Significant Step'

Nine months since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Jayson Tatum has made huge strides in his recovery.

While Celtics president Brad Stevens recently said that Tatum still has a “long way to go” before he can make a comeback, it’s definitely encouraging to see what he has done to get back to full health.

To recall, four months after picking up the injury, he was able to play basketball again. Then on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Tatum “has started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches.”

“He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn,” Charania shared on “ABC NBA Countdown.”

“Listen, there’s more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There’s more phases in his rehab. He’s got to practice with the team of course, and then, again, there’s also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude.”

Celtics reporter Bobby Krivitsky added that he has seen Tatum “handle contact well” and called the update from Charania a “significant step in his road to recovery.”

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) warms up before a game.© Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

In another important development for Tatum, the Celtics revealed on Monday that they have assigned their star forward to “participate in portions” of the practice of their G League team, the Maine Celtics.

However, it is only for their Monday afternoon practice and Tatum will return to the team immediately after the session.

“Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon,” the Celtics wrote.

“Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.”

What Tatum Said About His Injury

Tatum has no timetable for his return, but it’s worth noting that the six-time All-Star previously reflected on sitting out for the season amid the Celtics’ success.

At the time of writing, the Celtics are 34-19 on the season, good for third in the Eastern Conference.

“If or when I do come back this season, they will have played 50 some-odd games without me, so they have an identity this year or things that they’ve felt have clicked for them,” Tatum said on “The Pivot Podcast” last month.

“And it’s been successful. They’re the (second) team in the East up to this point. So there is a thought in my head, like, how does that work? Or how does that look with me integrating myself off the injury … 50, 60 games into a season? There obviously could be some challenges. And it is a thought: Do I come back? Should I wait? It’s something that I honestly, recently, in the last two weeks or so just kind of contemplate every single day.”

After that, Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime reported that Tatum is “re-evaluating his situation and is now considering sitting out the entire 2025-26 season.”

For now, though, no decision has been made about Tatum’s 2025-26 comeback as he continues his recovery.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Celtics Assign Jayson Tatum to G League After Taking ‘Significant Step’

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