Jayson Tatum Targets Full Strength for Celtics 2026-27 Season

After nearly 17 months of recovery from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, Jayson Tatum is preparing to resume a full workload with the Boston Celtics for the 2026-27 NBA season. Speaking during training camp in South Carolina, the All-Star forward said he expects to handle consecutive games as Boston adjusts to a reshaped roster following Jaylen Brown's departure.

Tatum confirmed his readiness for back-to-back contests in an interview with Joe Murray of 98.5 The Sports Hub. Asked whether he could manage the schedule and wanted to do so, he responded, "Yes, I can," and added, "and yes, I want to." Boston faces the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 26 and 27, followed by five sets of back-to-back games in November.

The forward emphasized that offseason conditioning and strength work have been central to his preparation. "From a physical standpoint, just really working on my body, from a strength component and really, a conditioning component this offseason," Tatum said.

He also described a major change in his outlook compared with the previous year, when his return to basketball remained uncertain. "I look back 12 months ago this time, I was very uncertain on this day if I was coming back to play, what that season was going to look like," he said.

Tatum continued, "So I’m just in a much different headspace in a good way, because I know I’m practicing tomorrow. I know I’m back healthy. I know I’m going to get back doing what I love to do."

He added, "From that standpoint, that is where my eagerness and being excited about this new opportunity with this new group of guys. A lot of things to be excited about." His comments followed an offseason spent rebuilding strength and explosiveness after returning from the Achilles injury.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla also addressed the forward's condition before the preseason opener. "I think it's in the past," Mazzulla said, while acknowledging uncertainty remains in injury management. "I mean, not to say that — you never know.

It goes back to that's where you rely on our sports science team and their trainers to do all the preventative work, you know, as best as you can. And I think we have some of the best, and I think Nick [Sang] is one of the best at what he does as well, and so you go into it with full trust just because of the work that's put in by all parties of the Celtics." Mazzulla pointed to the team's medical and performance staff as part of its approach to prevention.

Tatum had already offered an encouraging assessment of his progress ahead of training camp, saying he feels "great." He also said, "Obviously, I feel much better than I did this time last year, and I'm excited and thankful for that." After his return last season, he appeared in 16 regular-season games, averaging 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from the field.

During the first six games of Boston's first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tatum averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists, shooting 47.5 percent. Left knee discomfort kept him out of Game 7 in May. He later described the offseason as an opportunity to "really get back to 110 percent."

His return to full practice marks a sharp contrast with the previous training camp, when he could do little more than light running and small jumps following Achilles surgery. At this year's camp, he has worked on post-ups and pick-and-roll jumpers with assistant coach Tony Dobbins. Reflecting on the difference, Tatum said, "It’s a totally different perspective," before recalling the difficulties of watching teammates practice during his rehabilitation.

"Last year was really tough for me. I kind of remember these days of training camp [last year] and I would be in the weight room the whole time watching the team practice. It was just tough to digest and go through it," Tatum said.

He explained how being back on the court has changed his appreciation for the game. "So now being on this side and knowing what it felt like to have to watch the whole time. It’s a different level of appreciation of being a part of everything and the game that I love with my teammates, it’s a different type of joy that I have now than I did my first eight seasons." Entering his 10th NBA season, he has also encouraged teammates to build relationships during the team's stay in South Carolina.

Describing the team's activities away from basketball, Tatum said, "It’s really allowed us even more of an opportunity to connect with each other: team dinners, team activities, watch football together, golf, practice." The Celtics have used the training camp environment to develop chemistry among their new arrivals, including Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley.

Tatum also discussed his connection with former teammate Jaylen Brown, who has joined the 76ers. He said he would miss Brown's personality and presence in Boston but was ready to "embrace" the team's new faces. "We got new teammates and new guys we need to embrace, and kind of move forward with that," Tatum said.

George, meanwhile, shares a history with Tatum dating to a Nov. 20, 2019, game between Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers. Tatum recalled a late-game drive that ended with a tying three-pointer, describing the contact with George as accidental. "Yeah I stepped on his foot," Tatum said.

"Inadvertently, I didn’t try to. I stepped on his foot when I made the move. I remember that was the first time Kawhi [Leonard] and PG played together that season.

I just remember it was a fun game, overtime game. I just learned a lot from it." George disputed the suggestion that the play involved a step on his foot.

"No [he didn’t step on my foot], I can’t take that away from him," George said. He credited Tatum's strength and execution, adding, "He got me on a good play. He was strong.

I didn’t understand how strong he was. So he had me off balance, and how strong his body is, it knocked me back. And so I can’t take nothing away from that.

That was just a great play, and that was his arrival." Tatum remembered the game as a turning point in his development.

"I just remember it like a big-time game," Tatum said. "That was my first time I made All-NBA, first time I made All-Star that year. I very much felt like I was coming into my own that year when I was coming in to the level where I could compete with the other best players in the world." The Celtics open their preseason against Cleveland before beginning the regular season, with Tatum expected to take on a larger leadership role in Boston's new lineup.

During training camp, Tatum was also filmed working on court drills in footage published by the Boston Celtics on MassLive YouTube channel, offering a glimpse of his preparation ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.