While Vince Carter appreciates Jaysum Tatum's eagerness to return, he has urged the Celtics star to exercise caution and not rush back.

If Tatum does return this season, his presence would fortify a Boston team that has played like a contender in his absence.

Whether or not it was intended as such, star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum having an extended workout in front of the media this week has reignited discussion of when (and whether) the St. Louis native ought to return from the Achilles tendon tear he suffered in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Jayson Tatum appears to drop a major hint about his injury return following the Celtics' comeback win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Jayson Tatum was back on the floor during the team's shoot around before facing the Detroit Pistons. It looks like he's progressing, throwing down some nice dunks in a controlled workout, but there are still steps for him to clear before coming back.

Jayson Tatum’s conversation with Bam Adebayo after Celtics' rally in Miami sparks return buzz and highlights Boston’s growing depth.

This was supposed to be a bridge year for the Celtics. A reset of sorts. A season to stay afloat while Jayson Tatum rehabbed a torn Achilles suffered during last year’s playoff run.

Tatum continues to rehab from his Achilles injury, and it will be interesting to see how the used if he returns this season.

Nevertheless, Boston Celtics fans are slowly becoming more hopeful that Tatum will return to Joe Mazzulla's rotation before the end of the season, even if it's on a minutes restriction. The fact that Boston is currently third in the Eastern Conference and on track for a potentially deep postseason run is likely playing a part in that hopeful thinking.

While Mazzulla refused to comment on Tatum's potential return, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, who suffered the same injury in 2019, predicted in November that, with Tatum's hard work and advancements in medical science, he could come back to play this season.