The Boston Celtics are just over two weeks away from kicking off their 2025-26 season with a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics will at the very least be playing the majority of this season without their best player Jayson Tatum, who was injured in the team's playoff loss vs the New York Knicks a year ago.

Still, recently, there has been speculation that Tatum could try to make a return at some point this season, especially in the aftermath of recently released footage showing him already back on the basketball court.

Recently, Tatum's teammate and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown hosted a live stream on Twitch and gave the latest update on Tatum's recovery.

“JT look great. I'm not gonna lie. I've never seen anybody recover so fast from an Achilles injury, from any injury… JT been going crazy,” said Brown.

The footage that Tatum posted on his YouTube channel of himself working out on the basketball court indeed was quite impressive for someone just five months removed from arguably the most devastating injury a basketball player can suffer.

Tatum will look to follow in the footsteps of players like Kevin Durant in making a seemingly full recovery from the injury.

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Would it be smart for Jayson Tatum to return?

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Garden.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

While Tatum being sidelined will be the biggest blow for the Celtics this year, Boston also parted ways with both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis this offseason, which will severely limit their ceiling in 2025-26.

Considering that the Celtics weren't able to beat the New York Knicks with both Holiday and Porzingis in the lineup and Tatum fully healthy, it's certainly worth questioning whether or not it would be smart for Tatum to try to rush back and join what could be a mediocre Celtics squad.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White should both get chances to put up some of the best numbers of their respective careers, but even in the weakened East, it wouldn't appear that this Celtics team has enough to truly compete right now, especially considering the adjustment period that Tatum would need upon his return.