Jayson Tatum (injury management) set to return vs. Wizards

Tatum had missed Thursday’s game against the Thunder, his first absence since making his season debut on March 6.

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are managing his right Achilles with a minutes restriction and his Thursday off-day. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Celtics star Jayson Tatum was left off Boston’s injury report Friday ahead of the team’s Saturday matchup with the lowly Washington Wizards.

Injury Report for tomorrow vs. WAS:

Baylor Scheierman – Right Ankle Sprain – PROBABLE
Nikola Vucevic – Right Ring Finger Fracture – OUT
Derrick White – Right Knee Contusion – PROBABLE

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 13, 2026

Tatum, who made his highly anticipated season debut last Friday coming off a right ruptured Achilles suffered 10 months ago, had sat out of Thursday’s tilt with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Celtics described his absence as “injury management” after he played, and started, three straight games.

The 28-year-old said he is playing on a minutes restriction as he eases back into competition. Tatum has played 27 minutes in each of his three starts.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla said Thursday that the team’s management plan for Tatum has the player’s best interest in mind. Days off seem to be part of that predetermined plan.

“Just trust in our sport science team and trainers,” Mazzulla said (via MassLive’s Brian Robb). “The goal was always for him to come back and also to maintain his health as he continues to stay healthy and continue to get better. Just the trust and communication from our team.”

Tatum has not played since Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs, when he scored a season-high 24 points. He also recorded two steals in Boston’s nine-point loss.

In Tatum’s time on the court thus far, it’s evident that he isn’t 100 percent confident in pushing off of his right leg, something that should improve over time, especially with rest, like Thursday’s day off.

As for the rest of Boston’s injury report, Baylor Scheierman (right ankle sprain) and Derrick White (right knee contusion) are probable to play. Scheierman suffered the injury against the Thunder while filling in for Tatum.

White, alongside Tatum, did not play Thursday. White suffered the ailment Tuesday versus the Spurs and received attention from the training staff on the court in the second half.

Nikola Vucevic (right ring finger fracture) remains out. He broke his finger during Tatum’s return last week and underwent surgery the following day.

The Celtics will host the Wizards at TD Garden Saturday with tipoff slated for 6 p.m. Eastern Time.