Celtics’ Tatum could return Friday against Mavericks, according to sources

Jayson Tatum ready to return to the Celtics

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is expected to make his NBA 2025-26 season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at the TD Garden. Tatum’s return comes less than 10 months after suffering a rupture of the right Achilles tendon in the fourth game of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Sources close to the team say Tatum is ready to play and is expected to inform the Celtics of his final decision before Friday’s game. The player has worked diligently to be able to play this season since suffering the devastating injury against the Knicks. He underwent surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery by Dr. Martin O’Malley less than 24 hours after the injury. Tatum, who turned 28 on Tuesday, is a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA (including four consecutive first-team selections from 2022 to 2025), and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The possibility of his return has been a constant storyline throughout the season, and it has been intensified by Boston’s success. The Celtics, led by teammate Jaylen Brown, who is in the MVP race, are second in the Eastern Conference standings and are on track for another 50-win season. They have received strong contributions from veterans like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, as well as impressive growth from young players like center Neemias Queta and forwards Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and rookie Hugo Gonzalez. This has validated coach Joe Mazzulla’s approach since the preseason, when he dismissed any idea that this was a “transition year” for the Celtics with Tatum’s injury and the departure of several franchise veterans last summer: Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday via trade, and Al Horford and Luke Kornet via free agency.

“I may have to train completely differently than the previous year,” Mazzulla said in October.

Joe Mazzulla

Now, Boston’s focus will be on reincorporating Tatum into the dynamic and getting him up to speed after almost a year off the court. It’s safe to assume he’ll start with a minutes limit while he recovers, but Boston will play their next 12 games without back-to-back games on the schedule. This should give him the opportunity to get some consistent repetitions on the court and gradually rebuild before a playoff push in which the Celtics will once again be seen as favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.