In a key update ahead of their matchup against the Washington Wizards, the Boston Celtics have confirmed that star forward Jayson Tatum will return to the lineup on Saturday. This comes after Tatum was ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma, marking his first absence since making his season debut earlier this month.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla provided the update, stating that Tatum is sidelined for the Thunder contest but will be back in action for the home game against the Wizards. As reported by Jay King of The Athletic, Mazzulla said, “Jayson Tatum will play Saturday. He’s out tonight.”
Tatum, the former Duke standout, has been easing back into form after missing nearly a year. In his first three games of the 2025-26 season, he’s averaged 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest, shooting 39.3% from the field and 29.0% from three-point range. The decision to rest him against OKC aligns with the team’s cautious approach to his recovery, ensuring he’s ready for the stretch run.
This season follows another stellar campaign for Tatum, where he posted averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 72 appearances, with shooting splits of 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc.
Selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft after one year at Duke, Tatum has spent his entire nine-year career with the Celtics. Over 588 games, he’s compiled career averages of 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 45.9% overall and 36.9% from three. His tenure has included two NBA Finals appearances, culminating in a championship win in 2024.
The Celtics, currently holding the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 43-22 record through 65 games, have been on a strong run, winning seven of their last ten. With Tatum’s return confirmed for Saturday, Boston looks poised to maintain their momentum. Following the Wizards game, they’ll host the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
This update underscores the Celtics’ strategy to prioritize Tatum’s health, positioning them as strong contenders for a second title in three seasons if he stays on the court.