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Jayson Tatum injury update: Boston Celtics star could make return from ruptured Achilles vs. Mavericks

Danby: Daniel Hager03/05/26DanielHagerOn3

Just 10 months after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon, Boston Celtics All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum could make his improbable return to the court on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. At least, that’s what reports are indicating.

Tatum, who has been a full go in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the Celtics, suffered the injury in Game 4 of Boston’s East Semifinals matchup against the New York Knicks last season. His return would be monstrous for Boston, as it currently sits at 41-21, good for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

All hopes for a successful 2025-26 campaign were thrown out the window following Tatum’s injury. The Celtics, however, have weathered the storm, thanks in part to an MVP-caliber season from Jaylen Brown, and look to add one of the NBA’s best players just over a month prior to tip-off in the NBA Playoffs.

“Jayson Tatum participated fully in his first five-on-five practice with Celtics rostered players, two-way players, G-League players, not just coaches,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said last month. “He participated fully in that five-on-five scrimmage on Monday. Everyone I spoke to with knowledge of Monday’s practice told me Tatum looked great. He’s been ramping up, he’s done five-on-five with coaches over the last ten days. But it’s different when you play your fellow teammates, two-way players and G-League players.”

Jayson Tatum has been named to four consecutive All-NBA First Teams

In 72 games last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. He was once again named a First Team All-NBA selection, marking the fourth consecutive season that he earned that honor. The Duke alum is seeking his second NBA Championship, as the duo of Tatum/Brown led the Celtics to a title in 2024.

Heading into Friday night’s game against Dallas, Boston has won seven of its last nine games and has been tabbed as one of the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard are all enjoying career seasons for Boston, hence their surprising season.

With speculation that Tatum could be returning, Boston even bought in at the Trade Deadline, bringing in veteran forward Nikola Vucecic from the Chicago Bulls. The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks have been floated as the two favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but Boston is now squarely in that mix with the return of Tatum.

Tip-off for Tatum’s likely return game Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.