Jayson Tatum still undecided on season return

Feb 22, 2026 5:13 AM

Jayson Tatum said he has not yet decided whether he will return to play this season while speaking with reporters ahead of the Boston Celtics’ practice on Saturday, according to Souichi Terada of MassLive.

Although no timeline has been finalized, Tatum shared details about a recent workout he completed in San Francisco alongside several teammates and assistant coaches as part of his rehabilitation process.

“There was a little five-on-five,” he said. “It’s tough to go into detail of every single thing I do every day. But I will say getting acclimated more and doing limited things with some of the guys out there. It’s all a part of the rehab.”

The workout, along with a scrimmage earlier this month involving Boston’s G League affiliate, has fueled speculation that Tatum could be nearing a return to game action, Terada notes.

While the star forward declined to put a percentage on his recovery progress, he acknowledged that he understands what full health should feel like, saying, “I know what 100% feels like.”

Still, he has yet to participate in a full Celtics practice, which remains one of several important steps before a potential comeback can be evaluated.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that the organization is focused primarily on Tatum’s long-term health rather than rushing a return.

“It just kind of depends on how he continues to hit those checkmarks, whatever they may be,” coach Joe Mazzulla said.

“At the end of the day, we have to make sure the main goal has always been get to 100%, get to as healthy as you possibly can and go from there. He’s done a great job working. My hope is that he gets as healthy as he can.”