Tatum logged 24 points (10-24 FG, 4-14 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes during Tuesday's 125-116 loss to the Spurs.

EDGE Analysis

Tatum has played exactly 27 minutes in his three outings since making his season debut Friday in a 120-100 win over the Mavericks, but the star forward continues to show his game hasn't gone anywhere. For the third appearance in a row, Tatum saw his scoring increase, and he attempted a season-high number of shots and three-pointers, as he saw increased usage after Jaylen Brown was ejected. Tatum should continue to have a big role on offense for the Celtics now that he's back in the lineup, although his fantasy upside will be capped as long as he continues to play under a strict minutes cap.

Tatum finished with 20 points (6-16 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 6-7 FT), three rebounds and two assists across 27 minutes during Sunday's 109-98 victory over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

In his second game back from an Achilles tear suffered in last season's playoffs, Tatum was again held under 30 minutes but was able to deliver solid offensive production despite some rust in his shooting form. With the Celtics trying to catch the Pistons for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, it's not clear just how quickly Boston will try to ramp up Tatum's workload, but the fact that he's playing at all is a huge boost to the team's fortunes.

Tatum (Achilles) totaled 15 points (6-16 FG, 3-8 3Pt), 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 120-100 win over the Mavericks.

EDGE Analysis

Tatum made his season debut after rupturing his right Achilles tendon against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May. The 28-year-old forward got off to a slow start on the offensive end, scoring five points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field in the first half. However, he settled in during the second half and also impressed as a playmaker, dishing out a game-high-tying seven assists. While head coach Joe Mazzulla didn't mention a minutes restriction for the superstar ahead of his return, it appears likely the team will continue to monitor his playing time as he is eased back into game action. Jaylen Brown should remain the top scoring option for Boston while Tatum gets his legs under him, though the latter should still take on plenty of on-ball responsibilities.

Tatum will be in the Celtics' starting lineup for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tatum has been cleared to make his 2025-26 debut Friday after 10 months of rehabbing from a torn right Achilles that he suffered in May. Per Krivitsky, head coach Joe Mazulla did not mention any sort of minutes restriction during Friday's press conference, but it's hard to imagine Tatum playing significant minutes in his return. Baylor Scheierman and Sam Hauser figure to be the top candidates to move to the bench to make room for Tatum in the starting five.

Tatum (Achilles) will make his season debut Friday against Dallas, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tatum is officially off the injury report and will make his return to the court after 10 months of rehab. He's returning ahead of schedule and has been playing 5-on-5 at practices for the past month. Needless to say, but he's likely to have some restrictions right out of the gate.

Tatum (Achilles) is listed questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks, with Shams Charania of ESPN relaying that the forward is expected to make his season debut.

EDGE Analysis

Per Charania, Tatum "has been described as ready to go" less than 10 months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured right Achilles tendon, and the six-time All-Star appears likely to debut Friday at home versus Boston if he makes it through shootaround without issue. Tatum, who has been a full participant in 5-on-5 scrimmages for more than a week, is likely to face a significant minutes restriction if he plays Friday. Expect the Celtics to manage Tatum's playing time carefully for the remainder of the regular season with the hope that he's capable of handling something closer to full workload by the time the postseason gets underway.

Tatum (Achilles) has recently been a "full go in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the Celtics," Shams Charania reported Wednesday on ESPN's "NBA Countdown."

EDGE Analysis

Tatum has seemingly reached the final checkpoint in his recovery from May 12 surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon. At this point, Charania notes that the star forward's main focus will be putting together "a number of practices and scrimmages" to rebuild his conditioning and increase the strength of his calves. Though Tatum has been non-committal about playing this season, all signs point to the 27-year-old suiting up at some point in March once he stacks up more on-court sessions and feels confident in the integrity of his right leg. The 38-20 Celtics have already been able to keep themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference standings amid Tatum's ongoing absence, but the late-season addition of the six-time All-Star would surely boost the club's odds of making a deep playoff run.

Tatum (Achilles) said that he was "feeling good" after taking part in practice with the G League's Maine Celtics on Tuesday, but he remained non-committal about returning to action during the 2025-26 season, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports. "[It's been] 39 weeks [since Achilles surgery], so it's been a long journey," Tatum said. "[Practicing] was the next step. Doesn't mean that I'm coming back [this season] or I'm not. It's just following the plan."

EDGE Analysis

Though Tatum achieved a major milestone in his recovery process Tuesday by taking part in 5-on-5 scrimmaging for the first time since tearing his right Achilles tendon May 12, both he and the Celtics aren't yet willing to offer up a timeline for him to resume playing in games. Instead, Tatum will continue working to regain conditioning over the next few weeks while gradually increasing the intensity of his on-court workload, and the Celtics will see how he responds before mapping out a potential return date. Tatum still looks to be a worthwhile player to stash in deeper formats or in shallower leagues with multiple injured-list slots, but fantasy managers should keep in mind that if he returns, the 27-year-old forward will likely be operating with a strict minutes limit for at least his first handful of games.

Tatum (Achilles) will participate in certain parts of the G League Maine Celtics' practice Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Tatum has recently been cleared to take part in 5-on-5 scrimmages against the team's coaching staff, and this is yet another step in the right direction for the star forward. The Celtics note that following Monday's practice, Tatum will be recalled to Boston, where he'll continue his rehab.

Tatum (Achilles) has progressed to taking part in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages against the Celtics' coaching staff, Shams Charania reported Sunday on ESPN's "NBA Countdown."

EDGE Analysis

While Tatum remains without a timeline to make his 2025-26 debut after undergoing surgery May 13 to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, he's continuing to reach new milestones in his rehab process and thus far appears to have avoided any major setbacks. Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, Tatum said Jan. 29 that he hasn't decided whether he'll attempt to play at any point this season, and if he does make a late-season return, the Celtics aren't expected to clear him until he's 100 percent confident in his surgically repaired Achilles. The rehab and recovery process for Achilles surgeries is typically around 9-to-12 months, with Wesley Matthews and Kobe Bryant being the lone past examples of NBA players who have returned from the injury in eight months or fewer.