Jayson Tatum (Image via Getty) Jayson Tatum will not play on January 7, 2026, when the Boston Celtics face the Denver Nuggets. The Celtics have ruled him out again as he continues to recover from right Achilles repair surgery. There has been no change in his status, and he remains without a clear return date.Boston has learned to adjust without its top scorer. The team has stayed near the top of the Eastern Conference despite losing Tatum early in the season. This game, however, comes against a Denver team also dealing with major absences, turning the matchup into a test of depth rather than star power.
Jayson Tatum’s Status vs Denver Nuggets (January 7, 2026)
Jayson Tatum underwent surgery earlier in the 2025-26 season after tearing his right Achilles. Since then, the Boston Celtics have taken a cautious approach. There is still no confirmed timeline for his return, with April 2026 viewed as the earliest realistic possibility. The organization has made it clear that the priority is full recovery, not a quick comeback.Former NBA player Kenyon Martin has publicly suggested that Boston should sit Tatum for the entire season to avoid long-term risk. For now, the team continues to move forward without him.
Boston Celtics Injury Report vs Denver Nuggets (Januaray 7, 2026)
Boston Celtics’ injury list for January 7 is limited but impactful: • Jayson Tatum: Out (Right Achilles repair) • Josh Minott: Out (Left ankle sprain) • Ron Harper Jr.: Out (G League assignment) • Max Shulga: Out (G League assignment) • Amari Williams: Out (G League assignment)With Jayson Tatum unavailable, the offensive load has shifted to Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Brown has been the focal point, averaging 28.2 points per game since Tatum went down.
Denver Nuggets Dealing With Heavy Absences
Denver arrives in Boston with a long injury report of its own: • Nikola Jokic: Out (Left knee bone bruise) • Cam Johnson: Out (Right knee bone bruise) • Jonas Valanciunas: Out (Right calf strain) • Tamar Bates: Out (Left foot surgery) • Questionable: Christian Braun (Left ankle), Aaron Gordon (Right hamstring), Jamal Murray (Left ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Illness)Despite the missing pieces, the Nuggets are coming off a 125-124 overtime win against Philadelphia on January 5.
What to Expect in Tonight’s Celtics vs Nuggets Game (January 7, 2026)
Boston enters the night at 23-12, second in the East, and has won eight of its last nine games. The Celtics have stayed competitive through defense and steady scoring from Brown.Also read: Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics regular season game: Full injury report, who’s out, where to watch, nd more (January 7, 2026)The game tips off at 7 PM ET at TD Garden. With both teams missing key players, the result is likely to come down to execution, bench contributions, and which group handles the moment better.