Jayson Tatum sheds boot in encouraging Celtics rehab sign after Achilles tear

Jayson Tatum is making strides on his road to recovery. 

The Celtics star revealed on Instagram Sunday that he no longer has a boot on his right foot as he heals from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered during Game 4 of Boston’s second-round series against the Knicks on May 12.

Tatum underwent surgery about 18 hours after the gruesome injury, and he has been rehabbing throughout the summer. 

Jayson Tatum posted an Instagram story Sunday of himself without a
boot on his right foot. @jaytatum0/Instagram

Before posting his update on Instagram, he was last seen working out with the Chattanooga men’s basketball team at the program’s facility on Friday.

The Celtics have not offered a timetable on Tatum’s return, but the 27-year-old is widely expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.

“He seems to be doing really well. Rehabbing’s hard. Anyone who’s been through a long injury and a long recovery, it’s just a challenge,” Celtics president Brad Stevens said on the broadcast of Boston’s July 13 Summer League game. “Mental challenge, physical challenge, obviously. But he got the surgery right away, and from that point on, his mindset was, ‘We’re going after this thing and trying to get better.’

Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round series against the Knicks. AP

“He’s a competitor. He’s gonna compete in everything he does, including rehab. I’m really encouraged. I’ve basically seen him every day in Boston for the last 50 days. Usually, he goes away at the end of the season and then comes back, but he’s just stayed there and been doing his rehab. It’s been fun to spend time with him every day and just try to catch up and see how he’s doing as we watch him make the strides he needs to make.”

Tatum, a five-time All-NBA honoree, averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists last season. 

When he makes his return, he’ll join a new-look Celtics team that no longer features Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, but has new additions in Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.