Why Jayson Tatum still isn't playing tonight for Celtics with injury news, potential return timeline

JT remains on the sideline for Boston.

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Why Jayson Tatum still isn't playing tonight for Celtics with injury news, potential return timeline

Billy Heyen

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC·
1 min read

*Why Jayson Tatum still isn't playing tonight for Celtics with injury news, potential return timeline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.*

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will still hope to reunite on an NBA court soon.

It just isn't happening on Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers as he continues to recover from injury.

It made sense to many that Tatum may return to the court on March 1. It fit at least some of the timelines that were rumored about his recovery.

Tatum has also returned to full 5-on-5 work at Celtics practice, which seems to bring him closer to a return, as well.

Just not quite yet.

Why isn't Jayson Tatum playing tonight?

Tatum isn't playing because he's still returning to full strength from his torn Achilles sustained in the first round of last season's playoffs.

It's been less than a year since the injury, and although medical advances have Achilles injuries back on the court sooner than ever, it's a recovery that still for some takes a full calendar year.

The fact that Tatum is back in 5-on-5 in practice is certainly a positive development.

When is Jayson Tatum coming back?

It's not yet known when Tatum will be back.

He has yet to be listed on an injury report this season as anything other than 'OUT.'

The first time he gets a questionable listing, fans will get excited, because it will mean Tatum is close.

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