Last night, it was reported that Celtics star Jayson Tatum could potentially miss the entire season. Chris Haynes was first with the news, reporting: “Sources: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum (Achilles recovery) is re-evaluating his situation and is now considering sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. The final decision has yet to be determined."
It’s a controversial topic. Some fans will be frustrated by the idea, while others are more understanding, given the circumstances. Personally, I see it pretty simply: if Tatum feels 100% confident in his body, he should play. If not, he should sit. There’s no gray area when it comes to a franchise player coming off a serious injury.
The Celtics are obviously going to be cautious. If Tatum does return, it’s hard to imagine anything other than a very slow, controlled ramp-up. Boston has no incentive to rush their superstar back onto the floor. Tatum addressed the situation recently, saying: “If or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50 some odd games without me. They have things that have clicked and have been successful, so there’s a thought in my head like how does that look when I come back? Damn, do I come back or should I wait. I contemplate it every single day.”
To me, that sounds less like hesitation about his health and more like self-doubt about disrupting what the team has built in his absence. That’s a bit surprising coming from a player of Tatum’s caliber. He’s played alongside much of this roster already, so chemistry shouldn’t be a major concern. When you’re one of the best players in the league, your presence almost always raises a team’s ceiling.
The Celtics’ recent success also helps explain Tatum’s hesitation. According to the BetMGM market, Boston has been trending steadily upward all season. They opened the year priced at +6000 to win the title and have since been dropped down to +1400. That kind of line movement signals real belief in what this team has built without him.
That said, context matters. If Tatum had been fully healthy to start the season, the Celtics would likely have entered the year in the +500 to +700 range right alongside the league’s true title favorites. So while Boston’s rise without him is impressive, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better off without their superstar.
Ultimately, I hope we see Jayson Tatum back on the court this season. But if he’s not fully ready physically or mentally, there’s no reason to force it. Boston’s long-term future is far more important than short-term gains.
