Celtics' Jayson Tatum shares emotional message amid injury return rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It’s been roughly nine months since Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles during Game 4 against the New York Knicks in last May’s NBA postseason.
Now, 40 weeks into his recovery, Tatum is progressing rapidly and shared an emotional update on the rehab he’s undergone throughout 2025 and into 2026, as speculation about his return continues to grow.
“40 weeks,” Tatum wrote. “I’ve really grown to appreciate this journey I’ve been on and allow time for me to pat myself on the back for showing up every day!”
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40 weeks🙏🏽
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) February 17, 2026
I’ve really grown to appreciate this journey I’ve been on and allow time for me to pat myself on the back for showing up everyday!
Just over a week ago, ESPN’s Shams Charania provided an update on Tatum, noting that he continues to take the necessary steps toward a return in the foreseeable future.
“He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. And listen, there are more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check,” Charania said on Feb. 8. “There are more phases in his rehab; he’s gotta practice with the team, of course. And then, again, there are also the normal nerves of coming back from an injury of this magnitude — a torn Achilles in May — to a really good team that has aspirations for potentially advancing in the playoffs.”
The Celtics have stayed competitive without him, moving into one of the stronger positions in the Eastern Conference behind All-Star Jaylen Brown.
Boston is currently 35-19 overall, second in the East behind the Detroit Pistons, trailing by 5½ games for the No. 1 spot in the conference.