Jayson Tatum Cleared for Celtics Return; NBA, Fantasy Basketball Fans Rejoice

The Boston Celtics star is set to make his comeback after a lengthy Achilles tendon rehabilitation.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Boston Celtics All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum has been cleared to return to the court after missing nearly a year due to an Achilles tendon injury. Tatum is expected to make his season debut on Friday, March 6, when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks. While Tatum may not immediately be at 100% productivity and minutes, his return is highly anticipated by both the Celtics and fantasy basketball fans as the team makes a push for an NBA championship.

Why it matters

Tatum's return is a major boost for the Celtics, who at 41-21 are firmly in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The 24-year-old All-Star is one of the league's premier two-way players when healthy, and his presence should help the Celtics solidify their status as a title contender. From a fantasy basketball perspective, Tatum's return is also highly anticipated, as he was a top-5 pick in most leagues prior to his injury.

The details

Tatum has been out since undergoing surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon last April. He has been progressing well in his rehabilitation and has been participating in full-contact practice scrimmages, indicating he is ready to return to game action. The Celtics have been cautious with Tatum's recovery, and it remains to be seen how many minutes he will play in his first game back. Fantasy managers will need to monitor his workload and productivity closely in the coming weeks.

  • Tatum suffered the Achilles injury in April 2025.
  • He has been out for nearly a year, with his return set for March 6, 2026.
  • The Celtics have 20 games remaining in the 2026 regular season.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A 24-year-old All-NBA forward for the Boston Celtics who is returning from a lengthy Achilles tendon injury.

Boston Celtics

An NBA franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts that is currently 41-21 and in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

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What they’re saying

“BREAKING: Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon.”

— Shams Charania (Twitter)

What’s next

The Celtics will monitor Tatum's minutes and productivity closely in his first few games back, with the goal of gradually increasing his workload as he regains full strength and conditioning. Fantasy managers will need to be patient and keep a close eye on Tatum's status, as his return could have a major impact on their playoff hopes.

The takeaway

Tatum's return is a major boost for the Celtics as they make a push for an NBA championship, and it is also highly anticipated by fantasy basketball fans who drafted the star forward. While Tatum may not immediately be at 100%, his presence on the court should provide a significant lift to both the Celtics and fantasy teams.