Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Optimistic About Jayson Tatum's Impending Return

Tatum's recovery from Achilles injury fuels hope for Celtics' playoff push

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown provided a positive update on teammate Jayson Tatum's rehabilitation from an Achilles tendon injury, indicating significant progress and fueling optimism about Tatum's potential return this season. Brown's comments, coupled with the Celtics' recent trade for Nikola Vucevic, suggest the organization expects Tatum to rejoin the team for a crucial postseason run.

Why it matters

Tatum's return would be a major boost for the Celtics, who currently hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. His combination with Jaylen Brown and the newly acquired Vucevic could make the Celtics a formidable contender in the playoffs, enhancing their chances of making a deep postseason run and potentially competing for a championship.

The details

During All-Star Media Day, Jaylen Brown discussed Tatum's ongoing recovery, noting improvements as the All-Star forward approaches the later stages of his rehab. The Celtics' decision to acquire Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in a trade is seen as a clear indicator that the organization believes Tatum will return for the postseason. The team's strategic moves and Brown's positive remarks reflect growing confidence that Tatum will rejoin the Celtics during the remainder of the season.

  • Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during the Celtics' playoff series against the New York Knicks last year.
  • The Celtics acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline in 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics who provided a positive update on teammate Jayson Tatum's rehabilitation progress.

Jayson Tatum

An All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury and is expected to return to the team this season.

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center who was acquired by the Boston Celtics in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, seen as a move to bolster the team's frontcourt in anticipation of Tatum's return.

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What they’re saying

“In terms of what I've seen, he looks pretty damn good.”

— Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics star (ESPN)

“The Celtics' decision to acquire Nikola Vučević from Chicago before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simons' expiring contract, was a clear indicator that Boston believes Tatum will indeed return for a postseason run.”

— Marc Stein, NBA insider (ESPN)

What’s next

The Celtics are expected to finalize decisions regarding Tatum's availability in the coming weeks as he continues his rehabilitation.

The takeaway

The Celtics' strategic moves and Jaylen Brown's optimistic comments about Jayson Tatum's recovery suggest the team is preparing for Tatum's return, which could significantly bolster their chances of making a deep playoff run and potentially competing for a championship.