How Close is the 2024 NBA Champion to Rejoining the Celtics?
The Boston Celtics opened the second half of their season in impressive fashion, defeating the Golden State Warriors 121-110 to move to 36-19, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown delivered a triple-double, continuing his dominant stretch. Payton Pritchard added 26 points off the bench, providing a scoring spark when it was needed most. Boston looks steady, confident, and balanced on both ends of the floor. The system is working, even without one of its biggest stars. One figure, however, continues to watch from afar: Jayson Tatum, the 2024 NBA champion who has yet to play this season while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in last year’s playoffs. His absence has been the lingering storyline hovering over an otherwise successful campaign. While the team has managed to win consistently, the ceiling still feels untapped without him. That absence, though, may not last much longer.
NBA insider Shams Charania recently provided a significant update on Tatum’s recovery during an appearance on the Throwbacks Show. The update suggested real progress rather than vague optimism. “Jayson Tatum has been doing five-on-five for a period of weeks now,” Charania said. “These are the steps you take as you ramp up.” Five-on-five activity for weeks is not light testing. It means Tatum is running full competitive sets consistently while his body is being monitored for response and recovery. This stage is no longer about basic rehabilitation drills or isolated conditioning sessions. It is about testing durability under real game-like intensity. That distinction matters as the postseason approaches. The organization can evaluate progress, but it cannot dictate comfort. “At the end of the day, only he can be the one that gives the final clearance,” Charania said. “About a dozen people involved here at the end. Doctors, his side, Celtics officials, are eventually gonna gather in a room and be like ‘ok, we’re good. Let’s move forward.’’’ That description paints a picture of a process nearing completion rather than sitting at its midpoint. There are layers of evaluation still required, but the tone surrounding the update feels forward-looking.
Former Celtic and NBA analyst Evan Turner added another layer to the timeline. Speaking on Sports Illustrated’s Open Floor NBA Show, Turner offered insight into Tatum’s competitive mindset. The comments were less medical and more personal. They reflected urgency. “The hooper that I know, the person that I know, he’s itching to get back,” Turner said. “I think I see him March 1st. His birthday’s March 3rd. You know Jayson, he likes to give himself nice gifts.” March 1st is not just any date. The NBA moved Boston’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers that night into an 8 p.m. NBC primetime window. The league does not casually reschedule games for national exposure without anticipation of a moment. The dots are visible, even if they are not officially connected. Whether those dots ultimately align depends entirely on Tatum’s body. Recovery from a torn Achilles is delicate, and setbacks cannot be rushed. The Celtics will prioritize long-term readiness over short-term optics. Still, the timing feels intentional.
Boston has built something substantial in his absence. Jaylen Brown is producing at an MVP-caliber level, averaging close to 30 points per game while carrying significant offensive responsibility. The supporting cast has found rhythm within expanded roles. That foundation does not disappear when Tatum returns. It becomes stronger. Brown does not revert, and the bench depth acquired at the trade deadline does not shrink. Instead, the Celtics would add one of the league’s most versatile offensive weapons to an already cohesive structure. A healthy Tatum alongside this version of Brown changes the equation for every contender that has prepared for a Boston team without him. Defensive schemes would have to stretch. Matchup advantages would reappear. Boston’s margin for error would widen considerably.
Tatum has been running five-on-five for weeks. Turner is publicly circling March 1st, the primetime slot is booked, and the decision-makers will soon gather. Only Tatum knows when his body feels fully ready, and that clearance belongs to him alone. The Celtics are still standing and rolling, even without their franchise cornerstone. The quiet work behind the scenes appears nearly complete; Boston looks ready for what comes next.
