Boston assigns Tatum to G League squad for limited practice

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Jayson Tatum just took a significant step toward returning this 2025-26 NBA season from a ruptured right Achilles tendon injury.

Nine months after suffering the devastating season-ending injury, Tatum’s plan to return after the All-Star break might be possible after the Boston Celtics assigned him to their NBA G League squad, the Maine Celtics, confirmed on Feb. 10, 2026.

Boston announced that Tatum will join the Maine Celtics’ practice sessions, but still with observance of a restricted schedule directed by the franchise’s medical team.

After spending limited time with the G League team, Boston will recall Tatum to continue his rehab sessions with the parent franchise.

According to ESPN veteran NBA insider Shams Charania, the superstar small forward is already joining the Celtics’ five-on-five scrimmages and is nearing his return to active basketball.

In retrospect, Tatum sustained the Achilles rupture on May 13, 2025, during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.

Tatum fell without contact in the final 3:07 of the game after attempting to dive for a loose ball. He then grimaced in pain while holding his right ankle, a difficult sight for Boston fans who flocked to New York.

The 27-year-old stalwart failed to get up and held his ankle for an extended period before receiving help from the Celtics’ medical team. After a couple of minutes, he finally got up and headed to the locker room for evaluation.

Before exiting the game, Tatum was on pace for another masterclass after tallying 42 points on efficient 16-of-28 shooting from the field while also making energy plays for the Celtics.

He filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks, and could have recorded more if not for the season-ending injury in the fourth quarter.

Without Tatum’s presence so far this season, the Celtics have still looked impressive and are currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 34-19 record.