Jayson Tatum and Stephen A. Smith (Photo by Imagn Images)

Stephen A. Smith Urges Jayson Tatum to Be Patient With Return Despite Celtics’ High Stakes Season

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Afshan Khan | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 4:35 PM ET

As the 2025-26 NBA regular season approaches its climax, all eyes are on players recovering from ACL injuries sustained last season. Leading the charge is Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who is making impressive strides in his comeback.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 27-year-old forward is now fully engaged in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the team, sparking excitement among Celtics fans. However, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has a contrasting view. In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, the analyst urged Tatum to consider delaying his return this season.

“Age 27, and you’ve been to five Conference Finals and two NBA Finals, and [you’re] a champion. … They got plenty of time.” Tatum said.

"Age 27, and you've been to five Conference Finals and two NBA Finals, and [you're] a champion. … They got plenty of time."@stephenasmith thinks Jayson Tatum should hold off on returning this season pic.twitter.com/44jQYQD9rH
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 26, 2026

Smith’s advice is valuable, especially since the Celtics are in a strong position right now. Despite starting the season without Tatum, the team has remained dominant in the league. Currently, they hold the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 38-20 record.

REPORT: No Pressure from Celtics — Tatum Decides When To Return

Jayson Tatum (Image Credits: Imagn)

Tatum’s rapid recovery has ignited excitement among fans eager for his return, but it’s also fueled some heated debates across the league. While optimism is high, concerns linger about his readiness for a full comeback. In a recent interview on NBA Countdown, Shams Charania made it clear: the Celtics aren’t rushing Tatum; the choice of when to return rests entirely in his hands.

“It’s about him putting together a number of practices and scrimmages to build up…the strength in his calves. (Tatum is) in the driver’s seat. He’s going to be the one to make the decision. The team has not put any pressure on him.” Charania said.

Shams on Jayson Tatum’s recovery:

“It’s about him putting together a number of practices and scrimmages to build up…the strength in his calves.”

“(Tatum is) in the driver's seat. He's going to be the one to make the decision. The team has not put any pressure on him.” https://t.co/f3zdRJiQ0b
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) February 26, 2026

With 24 games left in the regular season, Tatum has the chance to focus on his full recovery, ensuring he’s ready to step up when it matters most in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Celtics are gearing up for their next game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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