In the world of sports, one image can be worth more than a thousand medical reports, especially when fans are hopeful about a player’s return. Recently, a photograph of Jayson Tatumpracticing with contact and being defended by Luka Garza went viral, igniting a spark of hope that the city of Boston had not felt all season.
The Celtics, who currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 36-19 record, have managed to remain among the elite thanks to an MVP-level Jaylen Brown, but the missing piece to complete the championship puzzle is getting closer to falling into place with the possible return of Tatum, who has not played a single minute this season.
The hope is not unfounded. Seeing Tatum on a court, after months of silence and rehabilitation, suggests that the team is not only winning now, but preparing for an enhanced version of itself just before the playoffs.
Tatum’s ordeal: The Achilles tendon rupture
The reason Jayson Tatum has not played a single minute so far in the 2026 season is one of the most feared injuries in basketball: a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during last year’s playoffs.
In the 2024-2025 season he played 72 regular-season games, averaging 36 minutes per game with 26.8 points per game, six assists, and an average of 8.7 rebounds.
Tatum has been working on his recovery since the summer, watching from the outside as his teammates battle for the top of the East, but always present at games and practices, because he does not want to lose contact with his teammates and wants to be ready for when he returns to the court.
When is his return to the court expected?
The mystery surrounding his return date has begun to clear up thanks to sources close to the situation and league analysts. Shams Charania, an NBA insider, provided a key update confirming the player’s physical progress: Tatum has already been participating in five-on-five games for several weeks and the intensity of his workouts is increasing.
Recently, the player said: “I’m trying to come back… but I don’t know if that will be the case.”
On the other hand, former player and analyst Evan Turner, who maintains a personal relationship with the star, points to a symbolic date: March 1, just two days before his birthday.
