Jayson Tatum’s Celtics return is ‘a matter of when, not if’, NBA insider reveals originally appeared NESN. Add NESN as a Favorite source by clicking here.
ESPN NBA insider Tim McMahon gave an optimistic update on Jayson Tatum’s status on Wednesday, insisting that boston celtics The return of the superstar is inevitable this season.
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“It’s a matter of when, not if.” McMahon said on the get up Regarding Tatum’s deadline to rejoin the lineup.
The Celtics have continued to impress as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference without Tatum, who missed the entire 2025-26 regular season while recovering from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s playoffs against the New York Knicks.
Recently, Tatum has made significant progress in his rehab, progressing to full-contact 5-on-5 work with the team and experiencing no major setbacks.
Talk of a possible Friday night launch has only grown in recent days. However, with the Celtics finding success through their depth and chemistry, the organization is committed to a cautious approach, allowing Tatum to determine his readiness.
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McMahon’s assessment is in line with the growing consensus that the six-time All-Star will contribute before the postseason begins.
During the 2024–25 season, Tatum continued to display his franchise cornerstone methods for the Celtics. The now 28-year-old player appeared in 72 regular season games, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists, earning another spot on the All-NBA First Team.
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