BOSTON — The Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum have understandably stayed coy about his return from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles in May. Both sides have dropped small updates across several platforms. However, the Celtics delivered a more definitive update on Jayson Tatum’s injury rehab on Monday, thus giving us a likely return date.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Takes Huge Step In Injury Rehab, Likely Return Date
“Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the Maine Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon,” the team’s official press release read. “Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.”
Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.
Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 9, 2026
On-Court Progress
Tatum participated in portions of the Maine Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center on Monday afternoon. He joined teammates Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams, members of the “Stay Ready Group,” according to a separate X post by the Celtics. After practice, the Celtics immediately recalled Tatum, where he will continue his rehab. Usually, 5-on-5 scrimmages are in the final stages in injury rehab so a timeline of three weeks to a month has emerged for Tatum’s return.
Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown — the latest on Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum's rehab: pic.twitter.com/hjtj2PsLoj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
Earlier on ESPN’s NBA Today, Shams Charania reported that Tatum has taken part in “5-on-5, controlled scrimmages” with coaches and members of the Stay Ready Group. This update by Celtics confirms that Jayson Tatum has already reached the full-court activities stage of his injury rehab.
Return Timeline Taking Shape
The six-time All-Star now appears on track to make his season debut in early March. The first week of March has emerged as the most likely window. The two dates circled include a March 1 home game against Philadelphia and a matchup against Charlotte three days later. Tatum will almost certainly return at TD Garden, in front of the C’s faithful.
Those dates also make sense because they fall between a difficult four-game West Coast road trip and another challenging three-game road swing. His return should provide the jolt Boston needs as winter’s ice thaw and playoff basketball comes into view.
© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
