The Boston Celtics need Jayson Tatum to be a serious title contender, which is exactly why they should rule him out for the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. The six-time All-Star continues to ramp up his workouts (subscription required), and there is plenty of belief that he will return this season. Tatum wants to, but the Celtics have to do what is best for his long-term health.
Achilles injuries are nothing to mess with. Tatum tore his in the playoffs. Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard suffered similar injuries and have already been ruled out for the season. Kobe Bryant did return in nine months, but few remember he suffered a knee injury just six games after coming back that ended his season. The Celtics cannot risk a second devastating injury to Tatum as he enters his prime.
JT is working hard and reportedly looks fantastic. He is already shooting off-the-dribble and changing directions. The Celtics are an average team without him. They desperately need their star back, but the juice is not worth the squeeze on this one.
The Celtics can’t let Jayson Tatum return despite his wishes
Boston is not a title contender. They have a gaping hole at center and lack depth. The Celtics would need Tatum to immediately play like a superstar to have any chance at a deep playoff run. That doesn’t sound wise when rushing back from an Achilles surgery.
Tatum suffered the injury on May 12 in the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks. A return even on the Kobe timeline would put him back in action after the All-Star break. Assuming he stays fully healthy, it would give him 28 games to ramp up for the playoffs.
Boston is currently in the Play-In Tournament, so Tatum would be ramping up for a win and advance situation with a series against the Pistons, Knicks, or whoever finishes as the top two seeds in the East waiting in the first round. That is a difficult road where the Celtics would quickly need Tatum playing 35-plus minutes each night.
The Eastern Conference is wide open, but Boston is not the most talented team. They would have to rely on JT to lift them past the competition, just one year removed from a torn Achilles. It sounds like a recipe for disaster that the Celtics can end at any moment.
They could rule Tatum out for the season and shift the focus to the 2026-27 season. That is what is best for all parties involved, but the franchise is refusing to step in. The Pacers did not make this mistake. All fans can do is hope it doesn’t come back to bite Boston.
Jayson Tatum’s recovery has been inspiring. He hasn’t stopped working despite the setback. It epitomizes what has made him a superstar. Of course, the future Hall of Famer wants to play and chase another championship. Fans know that.
It is on the Boston Celtics to step in and stop him. He just started a gigantic five-year $313.9 million contract. The franchise needs him healthy for the duration. That means sitting him out this year and letting Tatum get back to 100 percent. He will be elite next season, but Boston should keep him out until then. JT keeps playing with fire. All fans can do is wait to see how the Celtics respond.