Boston Celtics have received a significant boost in their outlook as a new medical update has eased concerns surrounding Jayson Tatum’s recovery from Achilles surgery.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Tatum has progressed to participating in five-on-five scrimmages with coaches, a major step forward in his rehabilitation process.
The update marks one of the most encouraging signs yet since Tatum suffered a torn Achilles last May, an injury that initially cast doubt over his availability for the season.
His return to full-court basketball activity has immediately reignited discussions around whether a comeback before the end of the campaign is realistic.
Expert weighs in on potential return timeline
Following Charania’s report, leading sports medicine expert Dr. Nirav Pandya offered further optimism regarding Jayson Tatum’s recovery window.
The orthopedic surgeon and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, indicated that Boston Celtics star is now within a medically reasonable timeframe to return to competitive action.
“Somewhere between nine to 12 months post-surgery is totally realistic,” Dr. Pandya wrote on X in response to Charania’s report. “The variability comes from how an athlete performs during on-court work due to the extended time away — strength, agility, explosiveness and confidence — as the Achilles is structurally healed.”
Tatum underwent surgery in mid-May, placing him directly within that nine-to-12-month window as Boston approaches the latter part of the regular season.
Caution still part of Boston Celtics’ approach
Despite the positive momentum, Charania noted that several hurdles still remain before a return can be finalized. While Jayson Tatum’s progress has been described as aggressive, the Celtics are expected to remain cautious, closely monitoring how his body responds to increased workload and live-action play.
For Boston Celtics, the update represents a welcome lift at a crucial point in the season. Even the possibility of Tatum rejoining the lineup later this year could have major implications for the Celtics’ playoff outlook, provided his recovery continues on its current trajectory.