Report: Jayson Tatum's return to Celtics this season 'up in the air'

The Celtics continue to exceed expectations as the 2025-26 campaign rolls on and at 29-18, which is tied for the second best record in the Eastern Conference, it seemed like they were going to get a boost to the roster before a potential playoff run.

With the NBA trade deadline next week, where it's yet to be determined if any moves will be made, the possible return of Jayson Tatum was still a hope whether it was a realistic one or not -- despite a raptured Achilles suffered in May of 2025 and the All-Star being ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Suddenly it appears that Tatum's pending return to the parquet at some point this spring may not be likely just yet, according to league insider Chris Haynes.

On Wednesday night, moments following the Celtics 117-106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at home, Haynes reported that Tatum was still weighing the possibility of sitting out the entire 2025-26 season.

"It is up in the air on if he's going to return at all this season," Haynes said on NBA TV's The Association. "I was told there were a couple of factors of why he's reached that point. But as of right now, that changes the whole landscape because Tatum even told me personally he was returning at some point. He was getting to return and he was getting close. I was hearing he was getting close and league sources told me that the situation has changed."

Haynes' report comes on the heels of Tatum's appearance on a recent episode of "The Pivot Podcast," where the veteran forward made comments regarding his health and if he had made a decision to return and re-join his teammates, who so far have been been playing well without him.

Tatum's candid interview with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder, showed a possibly hesitant side of the 27-year-old that doesn't seem to have a made a firm decision either way when discussing the subject on returning to play at any capacity this season.

"That's something I contemplate every day," Tatum said of potentially joining the Celtics for the stretch run. "More so about the team. 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. And it's been successful.

"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," Tatum added. "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."

While most Achilles injuries usually require at least a year of recovery, it's been documented how Tatum has been well ahead of that timeline throughout the fall and now winter months. With the Celtics or Tatum not setting any sort of return date, the forward has posted his workouts on social media and even held one in front of the media in Detroit last week -- in a rare glimpse into his recovery process.

With 35 games remaining in the regular season, any kind of return from Tatum would be welcomed even in a limited role as he dusts off the rust -- especially in a wide-open East -- only time will tell if a return happens within the next few months or until the start of 2026-27.

 

Joel Pavón

Follow @Joe1_CSP



Photo used courtesy of USA Today