Jayson Tatum has been out because he tore his right Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA playoffs, which required surgery and a long rehab, keeping him sidelined for most of the 2025–26 season.

Quick Scoop: Why Tatum Was Out

  • Tatum suffered a torn right Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks in May 2025, a serious injury that often costs players close to a full season.
  • He had surgery very quickly after the injury (within about 24 hours), which doctors said would improve his long‑term prognosis but still meant many months of recovery and ramp‑up.
  • Because of that, the Celtics listed him as ā€œout – right Achilles repairā€ on the injury report for the first several months of the 2025–26 season.

Where Things Stand Now

  • As of early March 2026, reports say his season debut is either imminent or already happening, with Boston upgrading him from ā€œoutā€ to ā€œquestionableā€ and then ā€œavailableā€ for a home game vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
  • In other words, he was out due to the Achilles tear and recovery, but he’s now at the point of returning to the floor and rejoining the Celtics’ rotation.

Bottom line: if you’re seeing ā€œTatum is out,ā€ it’s because of that major Achilles injury last postseason and the cautious, months‑long rehab that followed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.