Jayson Tatum seemed all but certain to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season when tearing his Achilles in May, but the Boston Celtics star continues to generate hope during his recovery process.

ESPN insider Shams Charania said during a Wednesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Tatum and the Celtics aren’t dismissing a return this season.

“The Celtics have not ruled him out,” Charania said. “I think the Celtics are cautiously optimistic. Clearly, Jayson Tatum has a goal in his mind that he wants to play.”

Charania noted that Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton have already ruled out a comeback during the 2025-26 campaign after suffering the same Achilles injury last postseason. Tatum, on the other hand, is making encouraging progress in his rehab.

Tatum raised eyebrows by runn

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