Nearly 10 months after suffering an Achilles injury, Celtics star Jayson Tatum is poised to make his long-awaited return when Boston hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, March 7 (PH time).
The Boston Celtics may finally be getting their franchise star back.
After nearly 10 months on the sidelines recovering from an Achilles injury, Jayson Tatum is expected to make his long-awaited return when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, March 7 (PH time) .
League senior insider Shams Charania indicated that Tatum is trending toward playing in the matchup.
The Celtics star was recently upgraded to questionable, the first time this season he hasn’t been listed as sidelined while continuing rehabilitation from the injury he sustained last May.
Tatum went down during Game 4 of the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks, which Boston eventually lost in six games that ended its hopes of repeating as champions.
Boston (41-21) currently sits second in the East just behind the Detroit Pistons (45-15) with 20 games remaining in the regular season, including 11 at TD Garden — a stage Tatum had earlier hinted would likely host his comeback.
Over the past few months, the 28-year-old has steadily progressed through the rehabilitation process.
He practiced with the Celtics’ NBA G League affiliate in early February, marking a key step in his ramp-up toward full basketball activity.
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Tatum underwent surgery shortly after Boston’s Game 5 loss.
If he suits up Saturday, it would mark 298 days since the injury, a recovery timeline that falls within the typical nine- to 12-month window for Achilles rupture injuries.
Before the injury halted his season, the 28-year-old averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and six assists in 72 games last year.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.