Jayson Tatum: "I have not said that I will not play this year"

Jayson Tatum keeps hope alive of returning to play later this season. The Boston Celtics forward, who suffered an Achilles tendon tear and underwent surgery on May 13, made it clear on ESPN First Take that he has not ruled out a comeback before the end of the 2025/26 season.

"I haven't said that I won't play this year," he replied to Stephen A. Smith when asked about Boston's options without him. "The most important thing is to recover 100%, not rushing, but I'm not doing rehab six days a week for nothing either."

Tatum's case is one of several in the league related to the same injury, which typically involves a recovery period of a full year or close to it. The Indiana Pacers, for example, have already ruled out Tyrese Haliburton, who underwent surgery on June 22, for the entire season, while the Celtics have chosen to maintain a more open stance regarding their star.

The news, for now, is encouraging. The surgeon who operated on him, Dr. Martin O'Malley, provided a very positive assessment of his progress in an interview with People Magazine: "I don't think I've seen a calf as strong as his. At six to eight weeks, he was already doing heel raises on both legs. He has worked the calf so much that I don't believe he will suffer the usual strength loss in these types of injuries."

A situation that could change depending on the circumstances

Nevertheless, the final decision will rest with the Boston medical team and may also depend on the team's performance without their leading scorer. If the Celtics reach the All-Star break with a mediocre record or out of serious playoff contention, there will be no pressure to accelerate the return timelines. However, if they remain elite in the East with real chances, the scenario could shift.

In the meantime, Tatum will try to stay as close as possible to the group. "I'll be in practices, at games, and traveling with the team," he explained. "Even though it's frustrating not being able to play, feeling like I'm still part of the locker room will help me a lot."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jayson Tatum: "No he dicho que no vaya a jugar este año"