The Boston Celtics are ready to welcome back their star. Jayson Tatum could make his debut in the 2025-26 NBA season on Friday night at TD Garden against the Dallas Mavericks.

According to ESPN, the final decision will come shortly before tip-off. The feeling around the team is positive, and Tatum now appears ready to return to the court.

The All-NBA star of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, will play this season and could make his debut Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, less than 10 months after surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon

Shams Charania

If confirmed, it would be a significant return: the Celtics’ leader would be back less than ten months after suffering a right Achilles tendon rupture, the injury he sustained during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.

Recovery from the Serious Injury

The injury during last year’s playoffs was a devastating moment for Boston. Tatum underwent surgery less than 24 hours after the rupture at the Hospital for Special Surgery, performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley.

From that moment on, a consistent recovery process began with a clear goal: attempting to return already during this season.

The Celtics’ No. 0, who turned 28 just a few days ago, is coming off several elite seasons. His résumé includes:

  • 6 All-Star Game appearances
  • 5 All-NBA selections
  • 4 consecutive First Team selections between 2022 and 2025
  • 2 Olympic gold medals

It’s no surprise, then, that Tatum’s possible return has been one of the most closely followed storylines of the entire NBA season.

Gradual Return for Tatum

If he takes the floor against Dallas, it’s likely that Tatum will begin with limited minutes, considering he has been out for nearly a year.

The schedule may help: over the next 12 games, the Celtics will not have any back-to-back sets, allowing the coaching staff to carefully manage his return.

The goal is clear: reach the NBA Playoffs with Tatum once again at the center of the game.

Celtics Competitive Even Without Their Star

Despite the absence of their leader, the Boston Celtics have remained near the top of the standings.

Led by Jaylen Brown, who is putting together a season that has him among MVP candidates, the team sits second in the Eastern Conference and is on pace for another 50-win season.

Joe Mazzulla: No “Transition Season”

Before the start of the NBA season, head coach Joe Mazzulla made it clear that the Celtics had no intention of treating the year as a simple transition season.

I might have to coach in a completely different way compared to last year. In the past we had a more experienced roster, with four or five All-Stars together. The process changes

Joe Mazzulla

And with a team that has proven it can win even without him, Boston could once again become one of the main Eastern Conference contenders.