BOSTON — It’s official. He’s back.
The Boston Celtics said Friday that Jayson Tatum will make his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Tatum has yet to play this season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ playoff series against the New York Knicks last spring.
The typical rehabilitation window to return to basketball action following Achilles tendon surgery is between 9 and 12 months. Tatum, who had surgery on May 13, will make his return to the court after 298 days.
The Celtics (41-21) have 20 games remaining in the regular season, including 11 at TD Garden. Boston is currently in second place in the East standings.
Tatum is in the first season of the five-year, $314 million extension he signed in 2024. He celebrated his 28th birthday on Tuesday.
Fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown has thrived in Tatum’s absence this season, averaging career highs in points (29.1), rebounds (7.1) and assists (4.9) while becoming one of the NBA’s elite defenders as well. It has earned him strong consideration in league MVP discussions for the first time in his career.
The Celtics and Mavericks will tip off at the TD Garden at 7:00 p.m.
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