Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum share a video of himself playing 1-on-1 on Tuesday, far less than a year after a devastating Achilles rupture. Just seven months removed from surgery, the footage served as both a personal milestone and a potential early sign that the Boston Celtics star might one day soon hit the NBA court again.
Is Jayson Tatum Eyeing A Return This NBA Season?
In a moment that derailed Boston’s championship hopes, Tatum suffered the injury on May 12, 2025, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. He underwent surgery the next day to repair his ruptured right Achilles tendon, and it was widely expected that he’d miss most if not all of the following season.
Jayson Tatum is already playing 1-on-1 only SEVEN MONTHS after his Achilles tear 🤯
Should The Anomaly suit up this season? 👀
(via @jaytatum0) pic.twitter.com/LdFuYdx733
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2025
Achilles ruptures are among the toughest injuries in professional basketball, often meaning 9–12 months on the sidelines for elite athletes. The team emphasized that they wouldn’t rush his return, and that their priority was ensuring a complete recovery.
Yet, Tatum’s rehab has steadily shown signs of progress. In a rehab update video, he described the first six weeks following surgery as “probably the toughest six weeks of any point in my life,” adding that he was working “six days a week” and slowly emerging from the walking boot.
Now, with the 2025–26 season underway, Tatum’s decision to post a video on Instagram of himself playing 1-on-1 has reignited hope among Celtics fans. The clip appears to show him moving with mobility, albeit likely at a controlled pace.
Rehab Process For Celtics’ Star Has Been Ahead Of Schedule
For someone still on the road to recovery, those are major markers. A recent report noted that he was “lifting, running and playing basketball again” less than four months after the Achilles rupture. Kevin Durant, who had suffered the same injury a few years back, called Tatum’s rehab process “insane”.
Jayson Tatum 👀
(🎥 @GwashburnGlobe )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2025
From the Celtics’ vantage point, this is promising but still far from a guarantee. The front office has reiterated that they will not fast-track his comeback, but only when Tatum is “fully ready.”
Still, the mere sight of Tatum on a court matters. If all continues to go well, and if Tatum, his trainers, and the Celtics stay patient and focused, he could be on track for a return later this season.
