Brad Stevens Confirmed Jayson Tatum Is Healthy
The Celtics star has fully recovered from a torn Achilles and is set to participate in training camp.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Basketball
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Brad Stevens confirmed on September 18, 2026, that Jayson Tatum is healthy for the upcoming training camp. The forward is prepared for his first full camp following his recovery from a torn Achilles.
Why it matters
Tatum's return provides a major boost to a retooled Celtics roster that recently added veteran stars to support him. His availability is critical for the team's ability to maintain championship contention after a season limited by his injury.
Tatum averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over 16 games last season. He recorded shooting percentages of 49.3% from 2-point range and 32.9% from 3-point range.
The players
Brad Stevens
He serves as the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics and previously coached the team.
Jayson Tatum
He is an elite forward for the Boston Celtics and a multiple-time All-Star player.
Paul George
He is a veteran NBA superstar recently added to the Boston Celtics roster.
Mike Conley
He is an experienced NBA point guard who joined the Boston Celtics in September 2026.
Jaylen Brown
He is a former Celtics star who won the 2024 NBA championship with the team.
The details
Tatum participated in gym sessions during the offseason to regain his physical condition after his surgery. Brad Stevens provided the positive health assessment during a recent radio appearance, cementing Tatum's role as the primary focal point of the team alongside new acquisitions.
Timeline
In 2022, Tatum and Jaylen Brown led Boston to the NBA Finals.
In 2024, Tatum and Brown won the NBA championship.
The Celtics introduced Paul George and Mike Conley on September 15, 2026.
Tatum spoke on The Dan Patrick Show on September 17, 2026.
Brad Stevens spoke on SiriusXM NBA Radio on September 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The integration of veteran stars like Paul George into a core anchored by a healthy Tatum recalibrates expectations for the Celtics' title defense. This move significantly shifts the franchise's competitive ceiling as it moves past the Tatum-Brown era.
Tatum’s return to full health stabilizes the Celtics' rotation and establishes him as the undisputed primary option for upcoming matchups. This availability dictates the team's offensive pacing and likely cements his role as the statistical anchor for fantasy projections.
The takeaway
Tatum's successful rehabilitation suggests he is ready to shoulder the load for the Celtics' new-look lineup immediately. Readers should monitor his early-season minutes to see how the team integrates new starters alongside him.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Boston Basketball page.
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Do you feel confident about your local team's performance after significant roster turnover?
