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Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Having been sidelined since the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals, Jayson Tatum’s potential return to the Boston Celtics rotation is a hot topic.
The All-NBA forward was recently cleared for controlled five-on-five work with Boston’s coaching staff. He also took part in a Maine Celtics practice session, along with the Celtics two-way talents.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, speaking via “The Hoops Collective” podcast, all signs are pointing toward a potential in-season return for the St. Louis native.
“I get trying to temper expectations…but the fact that the guy is playing 5-on-5 with two months remaining in the regular season, and the Celtics are where they are in the standings, it’s not hard not to anticipate that Tatum is going to come back at some point this season,” MacMahon said.
If Tatum is medically cleared to return, and the coaching staff feels confident in his ability to remain healthy, it makes sense to bring him back for the final months of the season. The Celtics have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Adding Tatum back into the mix would be a welcome boost ahead of the postseason. After all, Boston would be adding an All-NBA-level talent who would instantly solve the team’s need for an additional ball-handler.
Jake Fischer Believes Tatum Is Closing In On Return
In a recent edition of the “Stein Line Newsletter,” NBA Insider Jake Fischer shared his belief that Tatum will be back on the court in the near future. Fischer pointed toward Boston’s addition of Nikola Vucevic as a key indicator.
“Sources say that the Celtics’ decision to acquire Nikola Vučević from Chicago before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simons’ expiring contract, was a clear indicator that Boston believes Tatum will indeed return for a postseason run,” Fischer wrote.
It’s worth noting that Tatum would be far from his best upon his return. It could take months before he finds the All-NBA level we became accustomed to seeing from him before his Achilles injury.
ESPN Analyst Believes Celtics’ Tatum Should Wait
In a Feb. 10 episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith urged Tatum to take this time in returning to the court.
“I just want to say to Jayson Tatum, ‘why do that to yourself?’ Why come back? I mean, brother, you need to rest,” Stephen A said. “You need to take your time. Stay home. Get to the facilities. Rehab. There’s no rush. There really isn’t. I mean, it’s an Achilles tear. And I don’t want to see you get hurt again… So don’t rush back. Take your time. This is usually a 16 to 18-month recovery. It hasn’t even been 12. Jayson Tatum, that’s just not wise. Don’t do it. Rehab. Get yourself right. For next season.”
Smith is a huge New York Knicks fan. Therefore, his comments should be taken more as a joke. Nevertheless, there are sections of Boston’s fanbase that would agree with him. Holding Tatum out until next season would give his body more time to heal, along with allowing Tatum to ramp up without the physicality of the NBA.
In truth, if Tatum is healthy and ready to play, it makes no sense to keep him on the sidelines. And, if he returns in the near future, Boston will be a serious threat during the postseason.
Adam Taylor is a basketball reporter covering the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Miami Heat for Heavy. He holds bylines for CelticsBlog, USA Today and Yardbarker. Adam also covers the WWE and AEW. He has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Open University. More about Adam Taylor
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