Is Jayson Tatum playing tonight? Boston Celtics star’s injury update and status for Detroit Pistons game revealed

The 2025–26 NBA season officially began on Tuesday. The Bolton Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons game is currently anticipated by fans. On October 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Pistons will host the Celtics.

The Little Caesars Arena in Detroit will host it. The main concern now is whether Jayson Tatum, a star for the Boston Celtics, will be playing tonight. The short answer is no. Tatum's Achilles injury is still not fully healed.

Uncertainty grows in Boston as their star’s comeback remains unclear

Without several key players, the Boston Celtics might be hoping for their first victory of the year on Sunday. However, ESPN's Shams Charania stated on the Pat McAfee Show Thursday that Jayson Tatum had been declared out for the 2025–2026 season.

His Achilles' recuperation is to blame for this. He will probably miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during the playoffs last spring.

Boston may be without four-time All-Star wing Jaylen Brown and new reserve center Luka Garza in addition to six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum. Tatum, meanwhile, is eager to participate in an NBA game again as soon as possible. And only five months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, he doesn't feel any more pressure for that to occur. Tatum said at Boston Celtics' media day on September 30: "No pressure. No pressure to return back any sooner than when I'm 100 percent healthy.

No pressure from [Celtics president of basketball operations] Brad [Stevens], [coach] Joe [Mazzulla], the team, the organization. The most important thing is that I'm 100 percent recovered and healthy whenever I do come back."

With his hair neatly braided and dressed in Boston's green uniform, with the white leg sleeve that has come to represent him, the All-Star appeared game-ready as he took the dais to answer questions from media.He further said:"Today is cool.. I think tomorrow will be tough with practice starting out. I won't be able to be out there."For a club that underwent an offseason revamp, expectations are far lower this season. But Jaylen Brown, Boston's healthy All-Star and another $300 million guy, will have a lot of responsibility to lead the club without Tatum.However, Brown doesn't think that Tatum's absence requires him to change his style of play all that much. He said during the same: "I'm going to approach it the same way I've always approached it..

Obviously, I'm going to have more responsibility with Jayson not being here. But also gives a chance for other guys to step up. Empowering other guys. Trusting your teammates more. Trying to accelerate guys' learning curves. And play some good basketball. I think that's what people want to see."

Exploring Jayson Tatum’s slow and steady road to recovery

In May 2025, while playing the New York Knicks in a playoff game, Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon. He is presently undergoing a protracted rehabilitation procedure after having surgery to fix the injuries. He is anticipated to miss a large amount of the upcoming 2025–26 season, but there is hope that he could return in February or March 2026. The Celtics initially did not specify a schedule for his comeback. Tatum has resumed light basketball workouts as part of his six-day-per-week rehab regimen, though he would not disclose his precise recovery status.

Along with fellow NBA players Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Dejounte Murray, who are all recovering from Achilles tendon operations at separate times, Tatum stated he has also received assistance in preserving his mental health through the "Achilles group chat" he participates in.It has assisted Tatum in putting his recuperation into perspective and in acknowledging both minor and major accomplishments, such as getting off one crutch, then another, and then walking for the first time.Also read: "Career flashed before my eyes’: Jayson Tatum opens up on Achilles tear as Boston Celtics await his return