Mazzulla Says Jayson Tatum's Return Decision Rests With the Star Himself
As Tatum shows off his progress on the court seven months after rupturing his Achilles, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla says the timing of any comeback this season is up to the forward and those around him.
By Ishani Kapalli ·
Jayson Tatum appears to be edging closer to a return to the court, and Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla says the call on when that happens belongs to the player.
The team has repeatedly declined to lay out a firm timetable for the franchise forward's comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Even so, Tatum seems to be moving along at a quick pace, roughly seven months after the injury.
On Tuesday, Tatum shared videos of himself playing 1-on-1 at the Auerbach Center, where he looked nimble as he works toward playing at some point in the 2025-26 season. On Wednesday, Celtics reporters posted more footage of him doing 1-on-1 drills and post work after the team's practice in Allston.
Given how serious Achilles tears are, how long the rehabilitation typically takes, and the fact that Tatum was hurt during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, many had feared Boston's best player would miss most or all of this season.
Meanwhile, the Celtics, now 15-9, are settling into a rhythm in a wide-open Eastern Conference. That leaves open the real possibility that Tatum could be back on the floor at TD Garden in a few months.
It might be assumed that the organization would decide whether Tatum receives clearance to play. Asked about the decision on Wednesday, however, Mazzulla framed it differently. "It's all up to him," the coach said, as reported by MassLive's Brian Robb.
Mazzulla stressed that Tatum's health and his rehabilitation process come first. "You trust him, trust the team that's around him — he's got a great team — and you just kind of go from there," he said, adding that everything begins with where Tatum and his team believe he stands.
The coach also pointed to what Tatum already contributes. "To me, the only thing I care about is his presence and his leadership, and he's given that in different ways — on the floor in games, communicating with guys, in film sessions, traveling with us," Mazzulla said. He added that Tatum is part of the team and is helping it improve, with the rest coming down to Tatum and those around him.
While Tatum continues building toward game shape, Jaylen Brown and a reworked Celtics roster will try to extend their winning streak to six games on Thursday against the Bucks.
Source: Boston.com
