Why Jayson Tatum is practicing in the G League and what it signals about his Celtics comeback

Boston is calling Jayson Tatum back. On Monday, the Celtics assigned their franchise forward to the Maine Celtics for a controlled practice session. The assignment was brief, as it was planned to make his rehabilitation process fluid as he works back from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered during last year’s playoffs.The decision arrives with Boston firmly positioned near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. At 34-19, the Celtics have stayed competitive without their All-Star leader. That context matters. The organization continues to prioritize long-term health while measuring how close Tatum is to returning to full basketball activity at an NBA pace.

Jayson Tatum joins Maine Celtics in unusual rehab step that could accelerate his return to Boston

Jayson Tatum was assigned to practice with the Maine Celtics in Boston and was slated to be immediately recalled afterward.

The team framed the move as part of his rehab progression, allowing him to work in a live setting without the demands of a full NBA practice or game environment. According to multiple reports, Tatum has already advanced to five-on-five workouts, a critical phase in any recovery from an Achilles injury.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens addressed Tatum’s status last week. “He’s doing more and more and will continue to do more and more,” Stevens said on Friday.

“He’s still got a ways to go.”The Celtics did not place a timeline on his return to game action. The organization also assigned Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams to join Tatum in Monday’s session, keeping the focus on structured reps.

What happened to Jayson Tatum?

Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon on May 12 during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. The injury ended his postseason and sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 regular season to date.

Before getting hurt, Tatum remained one of the league’s most consistent performers. He averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over 72 games last season and earned his sixth straight All-Star selection.ESPN’s Shams Charania recently outlined where Tatum stands in the process. “My understanding is that these five-on-five scrimmages have been taking place with coaches in the stay-ready group on the Celtics,” Charania said. “He’s still got more boxes to check. Obviously, the next natural progression is for him to feel comfortable enough to practice with the rest of the roster and his teammates.“When he’s 100% confident in his leg and his body, and when he’s fully cleared by the Celtics’ medical staff. That’s when he’ll make his return.”It is fair to assume that Tatum could return this week if all goes according to plan.