On May 12th, 2025, Jayson Tatum went down with a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. 

The pop echoed throughout Madison Square Garden, and Celtics fans were left with astonishment on their faces. Not only did the Celtics lose the series, but their once-glowing future also looked uncertain.

Faced with a variety of hefty contracts and aging stars, Celtics GM Brad Stevens decided to make some offseason additions, intending to dump the salary cap and create a new era of Celtics basketball

On July 7th of this past summer, the Celtics’ starting point guard, Jrue Holiday, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for a young talent in Anfernee Simons. 

Simons, a 6’3 point guard, averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 42.6% from the field. Trading for the 26-year-old was a logical move by Brad Stevens, as he brought in a promising young talent and parted ways with an aging veteran in Holiday. Simons specializes in 3-point shooting and electric scoring, a skill the Celtics prioritize. 

On the same day as the Holiday-Simons trade, Kristaps Porziņģis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-way trade between the Celtics, Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets.

In return, the Celtics received Georges Niang and a second-round pick. One trade led to the next, and Niang and the second round pick were later flipped to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr, a rookie from St. John’s University. He was later cut from the squad. The release of Porzingis avoided an estimated $180 million in future luxury-tax penalties. This avoidance of heavy luxury tax will help create financial flexibility for the years to come.

During the free agency period of the offseason, the Celtics decided to load their front court by signing key players such as Josh Minott, Luke Garza, and Chris Boucher. These three look to play crucial roles, as they will bring size and toughness to a Celtics team searching for a new identity.  

As the Celtics’ season has just begun, the season looks unpredictable. The team, full of young talent, along with other experienced players, is not being held to as high standards by fans. This year is showing some signs of a rebuild, but also with playoff expectations. 

Since Tatum’s injury, he has recovered significantly faster than a typical ruptured Achilles timeline would look. Recent videos released by the Celtics have shown Tatum getting back on the court again and practicing, even dunking. 

In an interview with TODAY With Jenna & Friends, Tatum was asked about when he’d be returning.  

“That is the million-dollar question,” he said. “I think for me and my team — the doctor, the organization — the most important thing is making a full recovery, being back 100 percent, not rushing it. But I haven’t said, like, ‘Yo, I’m not playing,’ or anything like that.”

“I have a goal in mind,” Tatum added. “What I will say is I’m not working out, rehabbing six days a week for no reason.”

Jayson Tatum’s recovery has been a heavily reported topic by Boston sports media. The videos released by the media have given fans hope and optimism for a potential return this season. 

Currently, the Celtics have begun the season with a record of 2-3. With several months left before a potential return from Tatum, the Celtics look toward the leadership of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. With the plethora of seasoned veterans and star talent, the Celtics can achieve a .500 record. 

If this is achieved, they could be in serious playoff contention and will show other fanbases that they should never rule the Celtics out of a title fight.

The potential return of Tatum in the back-end of this season would mark one of the top three fastest recoveries from this injury in NBA history, comparable to Kobe Bryant and Wesley Matthews, players who recovered in eight months. 

With or without Tatum, the Celtics look to bring excitement back to the TD Garden. With a new foundation, the hope lingers amongst Celtics fans to bring another championship back to Titletown.