Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to a torn Achilles tendon. There hasn’t been an official report regarding Tatum’s return. However, it’s been suggested by multiple experts that he’ll likely be out of the team’s rotation as he continues to rehab. However, the basketball star isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning before the season ends.
During the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, Tatum suffered a season-ending injury. It happened in Game 4 of the series when he dove for a loose ball. Losing him caused the Celtics to lose their chance of competing for another NBA title, which they were looking forward to defending.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Tatum talked about his potential return in the middle of next season. He hinted at his plan in the recent episode of “First Take” with longtime analyst Stephen A. Smith.
“I haven’t said I’m not playing this season,” the six-time All-Star said. “The most important thing is a full recovery, and I’m not rushing it at all. But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”
"I don't go to rehab six days a week for nothing." 👀
Jayson Tatum leaves the door open for a return this season 😤 pic.twitter.com/8o5UMxG1Dt
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 23, 2025
Tatum is one of three All-Stars who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in the 2025 postseason. The first star to suffer the devastating setback was Damian Lillard. The star guard also had a non-contact injury during the first round matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers.
Tatum was the second star. He was followed by Tyrese Haliburton during the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He, too, had a non-contact injury that resulted in a heartbreaking setback.
Boston Celtics’ star likens his injury to a gunshot
Losing Tatum was tough for the Boston Celtics. Not only did it end their chance at defending their championship, but it brought down the morale of the team, which led to their eventual elimination in the playoffs.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Tatum described what it felt like to experience the injury.
“It sounded like a gunshot. It was almost as if I had headphones on when I heard it. It was the loudest pop,” the Boston Celtics star said. “I just kept saying, ‘No, no, no way this just happened to me.’ I’m turning on my butt, smacking the ground, ’cause I knew right away what just happened.”
He added that he couldn’t help but cry when he first sat in a wheelchair and had doubts. However, he’s determined to return stronger than ever.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
