Only seven months after tearing his Achilles, Jayson Tatum has progressed to playing 1-on-1, a significant checkpoint in his rehabilitation and a hopeful signal for the Boston Celtics.
Video from recent workouts shows him moving confidently, changing directions, and testing his footwork at game-like speed. While non-contact drills typically precede controlled competition in recovery protocols, advancing to 1-on-1 suggests the tendon is responding well to increased load and that his conditioning and balance are returning in tandem.
Jayson Tatum is already playing 1-on-1 only SEVEN MONTHS after his Achilles tear 🤯
Should The Anomaly suit up this season? 👀
(via @jaytatum0) pic.twitter.com/LdFuYdx733
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2025
Achilles recoveries are demanding and generally measured in phases: early mobility and strength, gradual court work, and then escalating live reps. Reaching 1-on-1 seven months post-injury indicates tolerance for lateral movement, deceleration, and reactive play; areas that place high stress on the tendon and surrounding musculature. It does not mean full clearance, but it reflects meaningful progress toward 5-on-5 and, eventually, game action once medical staff are satisfied with consistency, fatigue response, and day-after stability.
Typical timelines for Achilles tears often range around twelve months before competitive return, depending on athlete, surgical approach, and rehab progression. Being at 1-on-1 by month seven positions Tatum ahead of cautious projections, though teams will prioritize cumulative readiness over calendar checkpoints. The final steps – sustained high-intensity sessions, back-to-back practice tolerance, and contact scrimmages – are designed to minimize re-injury risk and ensure in-game performance holds under full NBA pace.
