Boston Celtics Make Official Jayson Tatum Announcement Before Mavs Game

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 2: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media during Boston Celtics Media Day at The Auerbach Center on October 2, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

On Friday night, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will square off at TD Garden.

The Celtics have remained one of the best teams in the entire NBA through the first half of the 2025-26 season (despite being without Jayson Tatum).

Boston Celtics Make Official Jayson Tatum Announcement

For Friday’s game, the Celtics got the incredible news that Tatum will indeed be available to make his season debut when they host the Mavs.

The former Duke star is coming off a season where he had averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range in 72 games.

The Celtics wrote (via X) at 1:30 Eastern Time: “Injury Report Update:

Jayson Tatum – AVAILABLE”

A Look At Boston

After winning the title in 2024, the Celtics reached the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs (where Tatum got hurt).

They lost to the New York Knicks in six games.

ESPN’s Shams Charania added: “The Boston Celtics have announced officially that Jayson Tatum will make his season debut tonight versus Dallas — under 10 months removed from surgery for a torn Achilles tendon.”

The Celtics have still reminded a title contender despite getting little respect before the season started.

In addition to the absence of Tatum, they had also traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the summer.

Right now, the Celtics are 41-21 in 62 games, which has them as the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

A Look At Dallas

As for Dallas, they have had a rebuilding season, as they are the 12th seed in the Western Conference with a 21-41 record in 62 games.

They also got a star player back recently when Cooper Flagg returned (on Thursday).

Marc Stein of The Stein Line wrote: “Cooper Flagg is completely off the Mavericks’ injury report after making his return from an eight-game absence Thursday night in Orlando and so is expected to play in Boston for the first time in the Maine native’s career opposite Jayson Tatum in his season debut for the Celtics.”