Jayson Tatum is day-to-day with a left knee issue, his first appearance on Boston's injury report this cycle. The report lists an expected return of Oct. 1, putting him on track for the Celtics' Oct. 8 season opener at Cleveland.
What happened
Tatum appeared on the Sunday, Sept. 6 injury report at 4:32 a.m. ET, listed day-to-day with a left knee issue. He had no previous status on the report, making this his first listing of the cycle. The report set his expected return for Oct. 1, ahead of Boston's regular-season opener on Oct. 8. John Schuhmann of NBA.com reported that once healthy, Tatum should once again serve as the unquestioned centerpiece of Boston's offense after the Celtics traded Jaylen Brown for Paul George this offseason.
What it means for the Celtics
Boston opens the 2026-27 season at Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 8, and the Celtics are 0-0 with the season not yet underway. Last season Tatum averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 32.6 minutes over 16 games, production the Celtics need back in the fold for the opener. In games he missed last season, Boston's rotation minutes went up most for Jaylen Brown (34.4 minutes, 28.7 points), Derrick White (34.1 minutes, 16.5 points), Payton Pritchard (32.3 minutes, 17.0 points) and Neemias Queta (25.3 minutes, 10.2 points). There is no record with or without him yet this season.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Tatum's status changes before Boston's opener. His expected return is set for Oct. 1, a week ahead of the Oct. 8 game at Cleveland, so a clean report before then would clear him for the start of the season.
Is Jayson Tatum playing at Cavaliers on Oct. 8?
He has not been ruled out. Tatum is day-to-day with a left knee issue and has an expected return date of Oct. 1, ahead of the Oct. 8 opener at Cleveland.
When will Jayson Tatum be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, 2026.