Jayson Tatum continues progressing in his recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered last spring, and the Celtics star has recently taken an important step forward by participating fully in five-on-five scrimmages, according to Shams Charania during an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today.
Charania explained that Tatum’s rehabilitation is now focused primarily on rebuilding conditioning and strengthening his calves through consistent practice work and live scrimmage repetitions.
While the physical recovery remains important, the mental aspect of returning to competition is considered just as critical, as the team wants Tatum to feel completely confident and free from thinking about the injury while playing.
The Celtics are taking a cautious approach and do not intend to rush his return.
Instead, the organization plans to wait until Tatum feels entirely comfortable and believes he has regained his normal form before allowing him back into game action, which is why no official timetable has been established.
“A dozen people here – doctors, Celtics officials, Jayson Tatum himself – they’re going to gather in a room when he’s ready and get him to a point where he wants to be, which is, in March, and as we get closer and closer to the playoffs, make a decision about whether he’s able to make it back on the floor,” Charania said.
Injury Notes: Tatum, Antetokounmpo, Garland, Thompson https://t.co/SE7BtsaYoz pic.twitter.com/wDKmVLKrOC
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 26, 2026
