Jayson Tatum was all smiles at the Auerbach Center on Tuesday. He joked around with Boston Celtics assistant coach Amile Jefferson, a close friend and fellow member of the Duke brotherhood. The star forward helped rebound and then made his way over to meet with the media.
His jovial mood and the ear-to-ear smile on his face seem like a signal of how his rehab is going. The day before, he participated in portions of the Maine Celtics' practice on the same floor he now stood after reaching his latest milestone in his rehab. The parent club also assigned rookies Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams to their G League affiliate to give Tatum more NBA-caliber competition to challenge himself against.
"I'm feeling good. It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G-League guys," said Tatum. "Today is 39 weeks, so it's been a long journey, and it's just the progression of rehab. It was the next step. It doesn't mean that I'm coming back or not. It's just following the plan. So, it's just another step."
In two days, the six-time All-Star will have reached the nine-month mark in his recovery. Steps like graduating to playing five-on-five with members of the Celtics' coaching staff and going through portions of Maine's practice on Monday are significant markers. Still, there's more for him to do before getting the green light.
There's also a fluidity to the rehab process that everyone must respect. It was great to see the St. Louis, Missouri, native in high spirits. And the way his recovery is going is extremely encouraging. However, as he navigates the highs and lows that come with it, there was also an earlier report from NBA insider Chris Haynes that Tatum was considering waiting to return until next season.
"I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm still going through the progressions of rehab. Not saying I'm coming back or I'm not. It's all about being one hundred percent healthy and going through the plan of this protocol."
The mental side of Jayson Tatum's recovery
In the immediate aftermath of tearing his Achilles, the five-time All-NBA selection felt betrayed by basketball. He contemplated whether he was done with the game.
While he has rekindled his love for the sport, going through a grueling rehab process for nearly a year is as much a mental and spiritual challenge as it is a physical one -- if not more so.
"Mentally, it's been tough," acknowledged Tatum. "It's been exhausting. I can't stress it enough. It's been 39 weeks. It's been a lot of different phases throughout this process. But the organization has been there to support me, friends, family, the whole nine. So, I've had a lot of support throughout this journey."
Just as Jayson Tatum has remained present and involved with the Celtics throughout this season, Joe Mazzulla discusses the importance of being there for Tatum throughout his rehab. https://t.co/0aA2GBqRoF pic.twitter.com/sqsuM5DHqy
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) February 10, 2026
Jayson Tatum's outlook on fitting back in with the Celtics
While his return would disrupt the team positively, naturally, seeing Jaylen Brown's ascent into the MVP conversation and how other players are thriving with more responsibility, in a moment of vulnerability on the roller coaster ride that comes with a long and arduous recovery, Tatum, in an appearance on "The Pivot Podcast," previously questioned his ability to reintegrate without hurting a group that is third in the Eastern Conference.
Addressing those comments, he shared, "I think just, you know, over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hand. You think about a lot of things. I'm just hyper-aware [of] what's going on, and I think it just stemmed from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table, and I bring to the team. But I'm also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well. And you know, not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment and talking from that perspective."
From Joe Mazzulla to Tatum's teammates, he has earned praise for continuing to lead and be a standard-bearer for this franchise while he rehabs.
One way he is doing so is through the example he is setting and the inspiration that comes from those within the organization seeing how relentlessly he is attacking his rehab. The other way is by remaining present and involved with the team.
Tatum participates in film sessions. He travels on the road with the Celtics, and he is someone his teammates will go to during games to pick the brain of a cerebral star.
Remaining present will go a long way for him if he returns this season. It's a reacclimation process that didn't sound like a source of stress for the 27-year-old forward.
"It might look different. I haven't played with these guys or with this group. A lot of high-IQ guys out there, and I like to consider myself one of those type of players," voiced Tatum. "So, if that did present itself and if I did come back, we're professionals, we'll figure it out."
What spoke louder than Tatum's words on Tuesday was that smile across his face. It spoke to the joy derived from his most significant step yet. And while one must respect the fluidity of the situation, this author has consistently believed that he will return this season. As he continues to check off boxes, the prospect of that coming to fruition becomes increasingly realistic.