As good as the Celtics have been so far this season, the focus still seems to be on if and when Jayson Tatum will return from his injury and make his 2025-26 NBA season debut.
Rumors and quotes from Tatum himself suggest there is a strong possibility he will return this season at some point in the coming months, and we might be able to narrow his return date to a list of about ten games.
When will Jayson Tatum make his season debut?
Celtics reporter Chris Forsberg recently posted on social media a list of games in which Tatum could return.
He provided quality context that led him to create this list.
Forsberg posted a recent Tatum quote from the 'Pivot Podcast', where Tatum said, “If or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50 some-odd games without me.”
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Based on that information from Tatum himself, Forsberg provided these dates as games that fit the criteria from Tatum's quote on when he could return...
- Gm 52: 2/6 vs MIA
- Gm 53: 2/8 vs NYK
- Gm 54: 2/11 vs CHI
- Gm 59: 2/27 vs BKN
- Gm 60: 3/1 vs PHI
- Gm 62: 3/4 vs CHA
- Gm 63: 3/6 vs DAL
- Gm 67: 3/14 vs WAS
- Gm 68: 3/16 vs PHX
- Gm 69: 3/18 vs GSW
This list of games is all home games. Tatum mentioned that when he eventually returns, it will be at a home game.
The idea of Tatum returning against the Knicks on 2/8 is appealing, as they're the team Tatum suffered his injury against and who the Celtics were eliminated by last postseason, but it seems unlikely at this point.
For what it counts, the game against the Knicks is also an ABC afternoon game on the day of the Super Bowl when the Patriots play the Seahawks, so that could be a huge day for fans if he does return then.
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People around the league have recognized that a return could be sooner than we think, as Tatum has intentionally worked out in front of reporters and has clips posted of him working out at speeds that are getting closer to regular game speed.
Another appealing matchup on the list is the one against the 76ers.
Not only does the Celtics' franchise have a historic rivalry with Philly, but Tatum has faced them many times in big games, especially in the playoffs.
We won't know the exact timeframe until we get a legit update from the team, but there are certainly some intriguing games he can return in that would create an electric environment at TD Garden.
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