Boston Celtics
Tatum sounds ready for his first full season on the court since his devastating injury in May 2025.
Nearly 17 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, Jayson Tatum declared a significant step forward in his recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Celtics star said he expects to play on back-to-back days for Boston this upcoming season, which suggests he’ll be at full strength.
Tatum was asked by 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Joe Murray if he thinks he can — and wants — to play on back-to-back game days for Boston as his body continues to recover.
“Yes, I can,” Tatum said with a smile, “and yes, I want to.”
The Celtics will pretty much immediately play on back-to-back nights in the first week of the regular season. Boston hosts the Bulls and Nets on on Oct. 26 and 27, just three and four contests into the year. Five sets of back-to-back games are on tap in November, too, which could test Tatum’s physical status.
Tatum said he’s been focusing on taking care of his body more than ever since the Celtics’ season ended at the hands of the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs.
“From a physical standpoint, just really working on my body, from a strength component and really, a conditioning component this offseason,” he said.
Considering Tatum was not active for Game 7 of that playoff series in May due to left knee discomfort, he seems to be in excellent shape with a week-and-a-half until the regular season’s tipoff.
Not just physically, but mentally, Tatum said he’s in a much better spot than he was a year ago.
“I look back 12 months ago this time, I was very uncertain on this day if I was coming back to play, what that season was going to look like,” he said. “So I’m just in a much different headspace in a good way, because I know I’m practicing tomorrow. I know I’m back healthy. I know I’m going to get back doing what I love to do.
“From that standpoint, that is where my eagerness and being excited about this new opportunity with this new group of guys. A lot of things to be excited about.”
Tatum was also asked about his ex-teammate Jaylen Brown, who has already suited up for his new squad — the 76ers — in preseason action. Tatum said he’s going to miss Brown’s personality and presence in the organization, but he’s ready to “embrace” Boston’s many new faces.
“We got new teammates and new guys we need to embrace, and kind of move forward with that,” Tatum said. The Celtics added Mike Conley, Paul George, and Mitchell Robinson in the last few months.
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