NBA reveals noteworthy Celtics schedule change amid Jayson Tatum recovery

Story by

Story by
NBA reveals noteworthy Celtics schedule change amid Jayson Tatum recovery

Brian Robb · MassLive

Sat, Feb 14, 2026 ·

2 min read

About Our Ads

The NBA announced a time change for the Celtics -76ers game in March just as Jayson Tatum’s recovery from a torn Achilles is starting to ramp up. The league revealed the Celtics -76ers matchup at TD Garden on Sunday, March 1st, will have its start time moved from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The game will also now be shown nationally on NBC and Peacock in place of the Oklahoma City at Dallas matchup.

The Celtics- Sixers matchup looks like a more appealing contest than Mavericks-Thunder for a national audience, whether Tatum is back in the lineup or not. Boston currently sits just five games above the Sixers in the East standings with the real possibility that Boston-Philadelphia could be a first-round matchup this season.

Regardless, the first week of March will be a time to keep a close eye on Tatum as he ramps up his return. The Celtics star returned to practice this week, taking the floor with the Maine Celtics and scrimmaging as he entered the 39th week of his recovery from a torn Achilles.

“It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G League guys,” Tatum said Monday. “(Tuesday) is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey. And it’s just like the progression of rehab. It was the next step. Doesn’t mean that I’m coming back or I’m not. It’s just following the plan. So it’s just another step.”

Tatum has spoken about wanting to make his return from his Achilles injury at TD Garden if he is cleared to play this season by team doctors. Boston will have several home games in March, including March 4 against the Hornets and March 6 against the Mavericks.

Tatum spoke about the challenge of reintegrating into the lineup in the event he does return earlier this week.

“I mean, it might look different,” Tatum said. “I haven’t played with these guys or with this group, but lot of high IQ guys out there., I like to consider myself one of those types of players. So if that did present itself, and if I did come back, we professionals will figure it out.”

The next update on Tatum’s recovery will likely come next week when Boston returns to action on a four-game road trip beginning in Golden State on Thursday.

More Celtics content