Less than five months after tearing his Achilles, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum appears to be making strong progress in his recovery.
The six-time All-Star shared a video on social media Thursday showing him dunking a basketball. While the move wasn’t explosive — Tatum jumped from a stationary position under the rim — it was still an encouraging sign for Celtics fans eager to see their franchise player back on the court.
Achilles injuries typically require 10 to 12 months of recovery, meaning there’s no guarantee that Tatum will return during the 2025–26 season. However, optimism around his rehabilitation remains high.
Shortly before the video surfaced, ESPN’s Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show that Tatum “has a goal in mind that he wants to play this season,” adding that the Celtics are “cautiously optimistic” about his chances.
Must be the shoes 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/SQsxrWDAkX
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) October 9, 2025
Tatum suffered the injury during Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks earlier this year. Given his status as the cornerstone of the franchise, the Celtics will only clear him to play once they’re certain there’s no risk of aggravating the injury.
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