Jayson Tatum’s media circuit the week leading into Celtics Media Day supplied a rare spark of optimism, cutting through the haze of an enervating Boston offseason filled with injury concerns, departures, and doubt about the team’s ability to compete in 2025-26.
Initially, few believed that Tatum would make it back to the floor after the 27-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the playoffs last season — an injury that halted the careers of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson. Tatum’s
emotions poured out as he was assisted out of Madison Square Garden that night on a wheelchair, setting off a domino effect to a roster demolition that saw Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday bid Boston their farewells.
The attention drawn to Brad Stevens, Bill Chisholm, Jaylen Brown, and the organization’s newcomers quickly ricocheted back in Tatum’s direction when he hinted at the possibility of making an earlier-than-expected midseason return. Tatum shared that his six-day-a-week workouts weren’t just doctors’ orders; they’re a regimen designed to get the six-time All-Star back on the court as soon as possible. So when asked at Monday morning’s Media Day at Auerbach Center if pressure is a key element at play amid his return process, Tatum answered with confidence.
“No. No pressure, I’ve stated that,” Tatum said, per NBC Sports Boston. “There’s no pressure to return back any sooner than when I’m 100% healthy. No pressure from Brad, Joe (Mazzulla), the team, the organization. The most important thing is that I’m 100% recovered and healthy whenever I do come back.”
Bryant missed eight months after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2013. Durant spent 18 months sidelined with the same injury in 2019–20, and Thompson lost the entire 2020–21 season to it as well. For many players, it’s a daunting setback that raises difficult questions: How will they return? Will the injury alter their career? Can they regain their rhythm and perform at the same level? Tatum was no exception to that looming uncertainty. However, the 2024 NBA champ offered a sigh of relief to those still concerned via an on-court workout video Tatum uploaded to his personal YouTube channel on Saturday night.
Tatum’s surprise video release — similar to an unforeseen album drop from your favorite artist — was well-received, both among Celtics fans and fellow NBA stars across the league.
Durant published a post on X, captioned, “Insane. Let’s get it JT,” which added to the outpouring of support coming both in and out of Boston.
“We all truly understand what each other is going through,” Tatum explained. “Different stages in our career, different ages, but we all can put ourselves in each other’s shoes. And I think the cool part is the brotherhood part of the NBA, and those conversations of truly rooting for one another and wanting each other to overcome what we all are dealing with. I think that’s special.”
Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, and Fred VanVleet are among those who’ve also fallen to the same dreadful fate as Tatum with severe Achilles injuries. Organizations across the league find themselves in a position similar to the Celtics, tasked with navigating the void that comes with losing a star-caliber player to a career-threatening injury.
Mazzulla recognized the gravity of everything Tatum was slated to face on his road to recovery. Just like last offseason — when it was said Mazzulla traveled to Paris to offer his support during Tatum’s challenging Olympic stint with Team USA — the Celtics coach was once again by his star’s side.
In Mazzulla’s mind, it comes with the job.
“I think it’s your responsibility as a coach to be there for your guys,” Mazzulla said, per NBC Sports Boston. “So whenever I could lift with him, whenever I could be there for treatment, whenever I could rebound for him, I think it was important to do that. I think as a guy that’s going through stuff, you have to know that we’re going through it together, and I think that’s a piece that’s important. I was there for the first time he walked. I was there for the first time he ran. I was there for the first shots that he took. So I think it’s important and you try to do that for everybody.”
Whenever Tatum’s return date becomes official, the uproar will echo across New England. He’s already made sure his comeback will happen at TD Garden — a setting that promises a crowd loud enough to shake whatever Banner 18 confetti still clings to the rafters. There’s no easy part in bouncing back from an injury dangerous enough to hamper a professional athlete’s ability to continue performing at their potential, but the silver lining in Tatum’s instance is clear: Support can go a long way for anyone at their darkest moment.
The confidence Tatum has radiated since rehabbing and stepping back onto the Auerbach Center floor has spread throughout the locker room. Watching him put in countless hours toward his return, teammates are already beginning to envision brighter days arriving sooner rather than later.
“You never wanna see someone get injured like that, but watching how he’s been able to approach every day and the spirit he has, has been unbelievable,” Payton Pritchard said Monday, per NBC Sports Boston. “And I think he’ll be better than he was before. That’s the type of mentality that he has, and that’s the type of work that he’s putting in. I’ve been here (at the practice facility) since the second week of August, back and forth, and he’s been in here every day training. So you definitely know he’s motivated.”
Next comes a trial of patience for Tatum. With just over three weeks until the Celtics host the 76ers on Opening Night, the next challenge is for Tatum to stay committed to the process. So far, the soon-to-be ninth-year veteran has already reaped some rewards from the grind of recovery, but there’s still work ahead.
“I’m certain that when the season starts and I’m not out there, that’ll be mentally challenging,” Tatum admitted. “But you just try to look for bright days when you can get them.”
