Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. said Jayson Tatum looked like himself during a recent G League practice assignment, fueling optimism about the All-Star forward’s potential return to the lineup.
Speaking Friday on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Harper described Tatum’s participation with the Maine Celtics as encouraging as the 27-year-old continues to rehab from an Achilles tear.
“He looked like Jayson Tatum. I’ll say that much.”
Harper added that the team is eager about the possibility of reintegrating Tatum into the rotation.
“We’re real excited… we’re real excited for the potential of him coming back. We don’t know for sure if or not he’s going to come back. But we’re real excited to see him progress during his rehab.”
On Monday, the organization announced via X that Tatum would be assigned to participate in portions of Maine’s practice at the Auerbach Center before being immediately recalled to Boston.
“Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.
Jayson Tatum looked like Jayson Tatum. Ron Harper Jr explains the excitement in the Celtics locker room following Jayson Tatum's G-League practice. Can the Boston Celtics win it all with Tatum back in the lineup?
Click the link for NBA All-Star coverage – https://t.co/j3RPgmmeWM pic.twitter.com/rP6ED5DeYQ
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 13, 2026
Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.”
Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, six assists and 1.1 steals per game last season while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range across 72 games. He suffered the Achilles injury during Boston’s second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks.
