the white season hypothesis is growing
This is one of the big questions of this second half of the season, and one that could dominate the playoff race. Or, perhaps, which could have carried a lot of weight.
He injured his Achilles tendon during the last playoffs, Jayson Tatum seemed to be on his way back this season. He trained specially in front of the media a week ago, encouraging the idea of an imminent recovery. But on Wednesday, that hypothesis took a turn for the worse, according to several sources … including the main man in question.
On ESPNthe Celtics winger explained that he has not yet made a decision about a possible return this season. The six-time All-Star says he wants to “Get it right the first time” and avoid any risk of relapse. “So there’s a lot to think about.”he added.
This statement comes while earlier, “insider” of NBA television, Chris Haynes, assured that the champion in 2024. “reassessed my situation” and that the return is in 2025/26 “in suspense.”. “He now plans to be sidelined for the entire 2025/26 season.”he wrote on X/Twitter.
The weight of the mind as well as the weight of the physical
Chris Haines spoke on the TV sets “several factors” on the origin of this reflection, without a detailed description: “That changes the whole situation, because Tatum told me personally a few months ago that he was going to come back at some point. And he was getting closer. I was told he was close.”
Sources: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum (Achilles recovery) is reevaluating his situation and is now considering sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. A final decision has yet to be determined. pic.tvitter.com/Z8CcVjFSIr
— Chris Haines (@ChrisBHaines) January 29, 2026
Without specifying these known “factors”, Jayson Tatum’s comments above all suggest a cautious approach and the need to be prepared both mentally and physically. The 27-year-old spoke about it again on Tuesday on The Pivot podcasthosted by Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
“It’s something I think about every day.”he confided, emphasizing the collective dimension: The Celtics are doing better than expected without their leader (3rd in the East, tied with New York, 2nd). “It’s more about the team: if I come back or when I come back this season. They will play about 50 games without me, so they have an identity. They have to feel that certain things work and lead to victory.”
And Jason Tatum sums up the dilemma: how to integrate into an already stabilized collective, and return after a serious injury? “What’s it going to look like to fit in with that injury occurrence? And ultimately, the thought is: should I come back or should I wait? For the past two weeks, I’ve been thinking about that every day.”
| Jayson Tatum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 80 | 31 | 47.5 | 43.4 | 82.6 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 13.9 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 79 | 31 | 45.0 | 37.3 | 85.5 | 0.9 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 15.7 |
| 2019-20 ☆ | BOS | 66 | 34 | 45.0 | 40.3 | 81.2 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 23.4 |
| 2020-21 ☆ | BOS | 64 | 36 | 45.9 | 38.6 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ☆ | BOS | 76 | 36 | 45.3 | 35.3 | 85.3 | 1.1 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2022-23 ☆ | BOS | 74 | 37 | 46.6 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 30.1 |
| 2023-24 ☆ | BOS | 74 | 36 | 47.1 | 37.6 | 83.3 | 0.9 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2024-25 ☆ | BOS | 72 | 36 | 45.2 | 34.3 | 81.4 | 0.7 | 8.0 | 8.7 | 6.0 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 26.8 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-29 08:03:00
