Almost three months after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has embarked on his recovery journey and is now out of the walking boot on his surgically repaired right ankle.
Brad Stevens, the Celtics` president of basketball operations, has not set a definitive timetable for Tatum`s return. However, ESPN`s Ramona Shelburne recently reported positive news regarding Boston`s cornerstone player`s progress. “There is a good update on Jayson Tatum – he`s walking again,” Shelburne shared over the weekend on NBA Today. “He`s out of the boot and he`s walking again. He mentioned he`s been undergoing rehab six days a week, and I believe he`s ahead of schedule in his recovery from the Achilles injury.”
Social media updates from Tatum`s workout routine indicate he has been rehabilitating his injury at UT-Chattanooga. Jayson Tatum isn`t the only Celtics starter to undergo surgery early this offseason; Jaylen Brown also had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. Brown has been back at Boston`s practice facility working out since June and is expected to maintain his prominent role next season, particularly in Tatum`s absence.
“I think Jaylen Brown thrives in moments like this,” Shelburne commented. “He attempted to play through that injury throughout the entire playoffs, and I believe he will embrace the role of the primary offensive option here.”
At the time of his injury against the New York Knicks, Tatum was in the midst of a scorching playoff performance, having posted 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks on 16-of-28 shooting from the field in that pivotal Game 4.
Last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and six assists per game, earning his sixth consecutive All-Star appearance. The former Duke standout is a four-time All-NBA First Team selection who signed a record-setting $314 million contract extension last summer.
When questioned in July about whether Tatum`s injury influenced the front office`s decision to make various trades to reduce costs ahead of the 2025-26 season, Stevens dismissed the idea. “The reality is that we knew going into this year, regardless of how it ended, that we were going to have some really hard decisions to make because of the penalties,” Stevens explained.
Boston has already completed trades for Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, and they are not anticipated to re-sign free agent center Al Horford.
