Is Jayson Tatum playing tonight vs the Miami Heat? Latest update on the Boston Celtics star's injury report (January 15, 2026)

The Boston Celtics will again be without Jayson Tatum when they face the Miami Heat on January 15, 2026, at Kaseya Center. Tatum is still rehabbing his Achilles injury and has not been cleared to return.This game continues a long stretch in which Boston has had to compete without its leading star. While the Celtics have stayed near the top of the Eastern Conference, Tatum’s absence remains a major part of the story every night he misses.

Why is Jayson Tatum Out Miami Heat (January 15, 2026)

Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks in last season’s playoffs. He had surgery in May 2025 and has been sidelined for most of the 2025-26 season.

Tatum has made steady progress. By October, he was back in the gym doing agility work and controlled dunks. Even so, the Celtics have stayed cautious. Achilles recoveries usually take nine to 12 months, and the team has not set a return date. Team president Brad Stevens has said a late-season return is possible but not guaranteed.

Boston Celtics Continue to Win Without Their Star

Boston Celtics enter the matchup with a 24-15 record, good for third place in the East. The team has relied on depth and defense rather than one dominant scorer.

Jaylen Brown has taken on a larger role and is averaging a career-high 29.5 points per game. Since a 5-7 start, Boston has gone 18-8. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are both having their most productive seasons, and Neemias Queta has given the team steady minutes at center.Boston ranks third in the league in net rating, showing how consistent it has been on both ends of the floor despite missing Tatum.

Miami Dealing With Its Own Injuries

Miami Heat are also short-handed. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is listed as questionable with a knee issue.

Davion Mitchell is out with a shoulder injury, and Josh Minott is sidelined with hamstring and ankle problems.Miami has lost three of its last four games, often by wide margins. Tyler Herro recently returned from a toe injury and has posted strong plus-minus numbers when on the floor, but the lineup has not been stable.

Celtics vs Heat Game Time and Viewing Info (January 15, 2026)

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Boston is listed as a 2.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 235.5 points. Brown’s strong season has also put him on early MVP boards at +3500.Also read: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat injury report: Injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (January 15, 2026)Tonight's match will air on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBC Sports Boston. With Tatum still out, the focus remains on how long Boston can keep winning without him.