(CNN) — When Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon lunging for a loose ball in the final minutes of a playoff game against the New York Knicks in May, it felt like a crumbling moment in what has been a stellar career for the 2024 NBA champion.

Tatum clutched his ankle and writhed in agony on the hardwood of Madison Square Garden before being wheeled to the locker room, head in hands. The moment marked a major setback for the six-time NBA All-Star, condemning him to months on the sidelines.

But more than four months on from the incident, Tatum tells CNN Sports that he hasn’t given up hope of returning to the court for the upcoming season, despite only recently getting back on the court for basketball workouts.

“I haven’t ruled off playing this season,” Tatum sa

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