Reporter Urges Caution Over Potential Jayson Tatum Return

Jayson Tatum’s potential return to the Boston Celtics rotation is undoubtedly the biggest talking point among Celtics fans this season, with the fanbase firmly split. One half believes that once medically cleared, he should be allowed to rejoin his teammates and get back on the court. The other half would prefer that the All-NBA forward is held out until the end of the season.

Fans aren’t the only ones debating the pros and cons of a potential in-season return for Tatum. During a recent episode of “Celtics Daily,” host Bobby Manning was joined by Sean Highkin, who covers the Portland Trail Blazers. During the discussion, Highkin shared his thoughts on why Tatum should wait until next season before returning.

“I do think they’re going to be as cautious as possible about this thing playing out,” Highkin said. “It is going to run up against the end of the regular season here. I don’t think they should. I don’t think Tatum should. I don’t think he should come back this year. They’re doing fine without him. They don’t need to risk it. He’s so important to the next potentially eight to 10 years of the Celtics’ future.”

Tatum has been posting workout videos in recent weeks, showcasing the work he’s putting in behind the scenes. However, it’s worth noting that he’s still in the early stages of on-court work and is not yet cleared for contact.

Ultimately, the Celtics will make the decision that’s best for Tatum. They will certainly consult with specialists, trainers, coaches and potentially other players who have returned from the same injury. Only then will they have all the data they need to make an informed decision.

Tatum has made it clear that he’s aiming to return this season. Still, if the Celtics decide to shut him down, it will give him additional fuel to hit the ground running during the 2026-27 season. After all, a healthy Tatum is key to the Celtics’ chances of success, and that’s worth more than any short-term gain the team could get by bringing him back early.

So, for now, Celtics fans will have to settle for more training footage from Tatum and the Celtics camp. After all, it could be months until we see him back in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.