Former Duke star Jayson Tatum could be closer to a return than anyone thought

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesWhen Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles last season in the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks, it was believed to be an injury that would cost him the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The Boston Celtics made roster moves of a team that was effectively punting on the season, trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as they appeared to be positioning themselves for a lottery run. Boston didn't view itself as a title contender sans-Tatum, and paying exorbitant luxury tax fees for a fringe-playoff team didn't make sense for Celtics brass.

But as we enter the stretch run of the regular season, the Celtics find themselves in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference. Not…