Jayson Tatum expected to suit up Friday against Mavericks
jayson-tatum-expected-return-vs-mavericks
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is on track to make his first appearance of the 2025-26 season Friday night when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden, according to sources who spoke with ESPN on Thursday.
The anticipated comeback arrives a little less than 10 months after Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon during Game 4 of last spring’s Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Knicks. The injury required surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley within 24 hours of the incident. Sources described Tatum as “ready to go” and said he plans to give the club his final confirmation before tipoff.
Tatum, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Tuesday, is a six-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection—earning first-team honors each year from 2022 through 2025—and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. His potential return has been a central storyline throughout the season, amplified by Boston’s strong position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Entering Friday’s game, the Celtics sit second in the East, led by longtime running mate Jaylen Brown, a prominent MVP candidate. Veterans Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have supplied steady play, while emerging contributors Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman and rookie Hugo Gonzalez have bolstered the rotation.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed the idea of a “gap year” in October despite offseason departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. With Tatum poised to rejoin the lineup, Mazzulla’s immediate priority will be reintegrating the star forward after nearly a year away. Boston’s upcoming schedule—12 games without a back-to-back until March 29–30—should allow the coaching staff to manage Tatum’s minutes carefully as he ramps up for the postseason.
Source: ESPN
