Celtics' Tatum Clears Key Hurdle in Achilles Rehab

Star forward has started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches, but no timeline set for return to game action.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has cleared another important milestone in his recovery from a torn Achilles, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. Tatum has progressed to participating in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches, a step up from the 1-on-1 workouts he had been doing. However, the Celtics have not provided a timeline for Tatum's return to game action, with team president Brad Stevens saying Tatum "still has a ways to go" before he'll be cleared to play.

Why it matters

Tatum's recovery from the Achilles injury is a critical storyline for the Celtics, who have excelled in his absence but are eager to get their star player back on the court. His successful return could be the difference between an early playoff exit and a deep postseason run for Boston.

The details

Charania reported that Tatum has "aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn" and has made it clear to those around him that he wants to return as close to his pre-injury form as possible, not as a "lesser percentage" of himself. However, the Celtics have stressed that Tatum will only return when he is 100% healthy and has the full confidence and clearance of the team's medical staff.

  • Tatum suffered the Achilles injury in May 2026.
  • He has recently progressed to controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches.

The players

Jayson Tatum

All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who is recovering from a torn Achilles injury.

Brad Stevens

President of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, who has said the team will not rush Tatum's return.

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What they’re saying

“He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. And listen, there's more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There's more phases in his rehab. He's got to practice with the team, of course. And then, again, there's also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude — a torn Achilles in May — to a really good team that has aspirations for potentially advancing in the playoffs.”

— Shams Charania, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“The best (time) for Jayson Tatum to come back is when he's 110% healthy, he's fully cleared by everybody that matters in that decision, and he's got great peace of mind and he's ready to do it. That's it. That's the objective, and that's what we're going to stick with.”

— Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations, Boston Celtics (Courant.com)

What’s next

The Celtics will continue to monitor Tatum's progress and will only clear him to return to game action when the team's medical staff and Tatum himself are fully confident in his health and readiness.

The takeaway

Tatum's recovery from a major Achilles injury is a delicate process, and the Celtics are taking a cautious approach to ensure he returns at full strength and without risk of re-injury. The team's success in his absence has created high expectations, but they are prioritizing Tatum's long-term health over a potential playoff push this season.