Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is anticipated to make his 2025-26 NBA season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at TD Garden, according to sources.

Return After Achilles Injury

The potential return comes less than 10 months after Tatum suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. He underwent surgery less than 24 hours after the injury, performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

“Tatum has been described as ready to go and will inform the Celtics of a final decision over the next day,”

Shams Charania, ESPN

Tatum, who turned 28 on Tuesday, is a six-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection, including four consecutive first-team selections from 2022-2025. He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Celtics’ Success in Tatum’s Absence

Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics have maintained a strong position in the Eastern Conference, currently in second place entering Friday’s action. Led by Jaylen Brown, who is a contender in the MVP race, the team is on pace for another 50-win season.

The Celtics roster also includes key contributors such as Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Nehemiah Queta, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez.

Looking Ahead

The Celtics have 20 games remaining in the regular season. The team’s schedule over the next 12 games does not include any back-to-back contests, potentially allowing for a gradual re-integration of Tatum into the lineup.

FAQ

• When is Jayson Tatum expected to return? Tatum is expected to make his season debut on Friday, March 6, 2026, against the Dallas Mavericks.
• What injury did Tatum recover from? Tatum recovered from a torn right Achilles tendon.
• How long has Tatum been out? Tatum has been out for nearly 10 months.