The Celtics cleared Jayson Tatum from the day-to-day injury list on Saturday, a day after he had been listed day-to-day for rest. He is available for Boston's season opener at the Pistons on Tuesday.
What happened
The Celtics' official injury report cleared Jayson Tatum from day-to-day status on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11:02 a.m. ET. He had been listed day-to-day for rest on Friday, Oct. 16. No further detail or comment accompanied the clearance. Tatum has moved on and off the day-to-day list several times this preseason: a rest-related day-to-day designation on Oct. 8 that cleared by Oct. 10, and a left knee and leg issue listed Sept. 6 that cleared by Sept. 24. No return timeline was announced because he is already cleared to play.
What it means for the Celtics
Boston opens its 2026-27 season Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Pistons at 3 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock, and Tatum is available. Last season he averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 32.6 minutes over 16 games. The Celtics are 0-0, since the new season has not started, so there is no record with or without him yet. When Tatum has been out, Jaylen Brown has carried the load at 34.4 minutes and 28.7 points, with 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) also seeing expanded roles.
What to watch
The Celtics' next official injury report will come closer to the Pistons game. No expected return date is listed for Tatum since he is already cleared to play. Boston's report also lists Sam Hauser, Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, Payton Pritchard, Mike Conley and Derrick White all as day-to-day for rest, so Tuesday's report bears watching for Boston's full rotation as the regular season begins.
Is Jayson Tatum playing at Pistons?
Yes. The Celtics cleared him from the day-to-day injury list on Saturday, Oct. 17, and he is available for Boston's season opener at Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
When will Jayson Tatum be back?
He is already back. Tatum was cleared from day-to-day status on Saturday, Oct. 17, after being listed day-to-day for rest the day before.