Celtics Health Check: Tatum Progressing as Starters Shuffle Rotation
BOSTON – The Boston Celtics continue to navigate a season defined by resilience, holding onto the second seed in the Eastern Conference despite a revolving door of availability. As the team hits the heart of its January road stretch, the latest injury report offers a mix of long-term patience and short-term management.
The Tatum Watch: Light at the Tunnel?
The most significant cloud over TD Garden remains the absence of Jayson Tatum. The five-time All-Star has yet to suit up for the 2025-26 campaign following a torn right Achilles suffered during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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The Status: Tatum remains Out, but optimism is growing. He has recently been observed participating in “controlled workouts,” a significant step in his eight-month rehabilitation.
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Timeline: While the front office has refrained from setting a hard date, league sources suggest a potential return in late February or March. For now, the team is leaning heavily on Jaylen Brown, who is currently averaging a career-high 29.8 points per game in Tatum’s stead.
Short-Term Shuffles: White, Queta, and Minott
Beyond the franchise cornerstone, the Celtics’ depth is being tested by minor ailments and the grind of the schedule.
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Derrick White (Rest): After a rare absence during the double-overtime win against Brooklyn on Friday, White is off the injury report for tonight’s matchup against Chicago. The Celtics are being cautious with the veteran guard’s mileage given his increased playmaking responsibilities this season.
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Neemias Queta (Illness): The center has been a revelation this year, but a non-COVID illness recently turned him into a game-time decision. He is currently listed as Probable, and the team expects him to anchor the interior tonight.
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Josh Minott (Ankle): The young forward remains Out indefinitely with a left ankle sprain. Minott has missed several weeks, forcing Joe Mazzulla to lean more on rookie Hugo González and Sam Hauser for wing depth.
Next Man Up
Despite the injuries, the Celtics (28–16) have maintained the NBA’s top offensive rating. The emergence of Payton Pritchard as a primary secondary scorer and the steady hand of Al Horford in limited minutes have kept Boston within striking distance of the first-place Detroit Pistons.
“We’ve built a system that doesn’t rely on just one person,” Coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters earlier this week. “Obviously, you want Jayson back, but the growth we’re seeing from the rest of the group is what wins you championships in June.”
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