Celtics’ Jayson Tatum anticipated to play in season opener
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is anticipated to make his debut for the 2025-26 NBA season against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at TD Garden, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday.
Tatum’s return comes less than 10 months after he suffered an Achilles tear in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Sources informed ESPN that he is considered ready to return and is expected to communicate his final decision to the Celtics prior to Friday’s game.
Since sustaining the serious injury against the Knicks, Tatum has been diligently preparing to participate this season. He underwent surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley less than a day after the injury occurred.
Having celebrated his 28th birthday on Tuesday, Tatum is a six-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection, including four consecutive first-team honors from 2022 to 2025, as well as a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The possibility of his return has been a recurring theme throughout the season, especially in light of Boston’s strong performance this year.
The Celtics, guided by longtime co-star Jaylen Brown, who is currently in contention for the MVP award, are positioned second in the Eastern Conference standings as they approach Friday’s game and are on track for another 50-win season. They have received significant contributions from fellow veterans Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, along with notable development from younger players such as center Neemias Queta and wings Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and rookie Hugo Gonzalez.
This has affirmed coach Joe Mazzulla’s strategy since the preseason, when he dismissed any suggestion that this season would be a “gap year” for the Celtics due to Tatum’s injury and the departure of several veterans—Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday via trade, and Al Horford and Luke Kornet through free agency—last summer.
“I may have to coach completely differently than the year before,” Mazzulla told ESPN in October. “In years past, you had an older, more experienced roster, four or five All-Stars on the team together. So your process is different.”
Now, Boston’s focus will shift to reintegrating Tatum and helping him regain his form after nearly a year away from competitive play. It is likely that he will begin with some form of minutes restriction as he eases back into the game, but Boston’s upcoming schedule features 12 games without any back-to-backs, with the next one occurring on March 29 and 30. This should provide him with the opportunity to gain consistent playing time and gradually enhance his performance ahead of a playoff campaign where the Celtics are once again expected to be a leading contender in the Eastern Conference.
