Celtics insider makes positive Jayson Tatum prediction before opening night

The mood surrounding the Boston Celtics’ organization soured once Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury against the New York Knicks in the postseason (Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals). 

Many believe that since the setback occurred in mid-May, Tatum will undoubtedly miss the entire 2025-26 season. 

However, according to a prediction from Celtics insider Chris Forsberg, that may not end up being the case. 

"We simply cannot watch all of these viral milestone moments and think that Tatum won’t be close to basketball ready at some point early in calendar year 2026,” Forsberg wrote Monday. “By February, he’ll be nine months removed from his Achilles rupture.”

“Neither Tatum nor the Celtics should rush the process — and they’ve been clear they won’t. And yes, the team must be 100% certain he has cleared all necessary medical hurdles before even considering a potential return.”

“There are plenty of steps to navigate, and the Celtics must exercise maximum caution with the long term in mind. But we threw a dart at March while predicting a potential Tatum return date over the summer, and we’re already eager to update our forecast.”

Tatum was playing high-level playoff basketball with the Celtics before his devastating injury. The Duke product averaged 31.3 points against the Orlando Magic in the opening round and 25.0 points against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Tatum notched 42 points in his final playoff game of the 2025-26 season, tormenting the Knicks with composed downhill drives, rhythm pull-up jumpers out of the triple threat position, and timely triples. 

Even if Tatum fails to make an appearance with the Celtics this season, his career outlook still looks promising as a skilled Top 2 scoring option. 

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant experienced the same injury in 2019 and returned to his pure scoring ways two seasons later. 

Tatum, like Durant, relies less on video game-like athleticism and more on silky smooth shot-making from various spots on the floor, which is why it’ll be easier for him to bounce back from an injury that regularly affects players whose games are predicated on their leaping ability. 

Simply put, the former first-round pick will be just fine in the long run.

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