Celtics fans received good news on Thursday as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported a possible Jayson Tatum return. The Celtics superstar had been out of commission since May 12, 2025.

He tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the second round series against the New York Knicks. Charania revealed that Tatum could return to the active squad as early as Friday.

“Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon,” he wrote in an X post.

Fans swarmed the X post’s comments section with their thoughts on the Celtics star’s possible return.

“Tatum got tired of that Detroit Pistons noise,” the fan commented.

“It’s certainly refreshing to have ‘The Anomaly’ back,” another fan said.

“10 months. That is a historic turnaround for a ruptured Achilles. 🤯” another fan said.

Some fans showed concerns for a rushed return for Jayson Tatum.

“This is so risky, just let him return next season,” one fan said.

“Don’t like this at all man, he should’ve done a full year of recovery,” another fan said.

“Should’ve just waited til next season, but we’ll see,” said another fan.

Jayson Tatum is a six-time All-Star and one of two pillars for the Boston Celtics in the last decade. He averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on 45.2% shooting last season.

An early return for him would help the Celtics possibly take the first seed from the Detroit Pistons. Jaylen Brown is playing at an MVP caliber, averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Pairing him with a functioning Tatum would help the Celtics make a deep playoff run and possibly even contend for a championship.

Jayson Tatum’s trainer takes a shot at Carmelo Anthony

Jayson Tatum’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, took a shot at Carmelo Anthony after the Knicks icon’s recent comments on the Celtics star. Hanlen expressed his thoughts on Anthony in an X post on Thursday.

“The irony of Carmelo Anthony trying to tell Jayson Tatum how to win,” he wrote.

Melo advised Tatum to set aside his pride and support Jaylen Brown upon his return to the lineup on Wednesday’s episode of his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast.

“There’s no egos, there’s no pride, like we got a chance to come back and win a championship,” he said. “So let me just put my pride and my ego to the side for these next three months and continue to let JB steer the ship, ’cause he’s proving that he’s doing it. He’s doing it at an MVP level on both sides of the court.”

The Celtics (41-21) are playing the Dallas Mavericks next on Friday. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.