Overview

• Five months after surgery, Tatum has advanced to on‑court drills and even box jumps, according to teammate Xavier Tillman and a Sept. 28 workout video.
• Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported league “buzz” that Tatum could potentially return in March 2026, though no target date has been set.
• Boston has not applied for a hardship waiver, a procedural sign it is leaving open the possibility of an in‑season clearance.
• Coaches and players, including Sam Cassell, noted visible progress, and Tatum says he rehabs six days a week but will not rush a return.
• Expecting Tatum to miss most of the season, the Celtics reshaped the roster, elevated Jaylen Brown’s role, tested a Pritchard–White–Hauser–Brown–Queta unit in camp, and emphasized a faster style of play.