With the disastrous season-ending injury to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum in their Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, there are now questions about when a possible return will take place. While there has been even trade speculation around the Celtics because of the injury, there are many reasons to believe that won&#8217;t [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-returning-for-2026-playoffs-would-be-unprecedented">Celtics&#8217; Jayson Tatum returning for 2026 playoffs would be unprecedented</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

Tatum's injury could significantly impact the Celtics' playoff prospects and long-term roster decisions, reflecting the broader challenges teams face when losing a star player to a major injury. The situation underscores the unpredictability of sports and the ripple effects of key injuries on team dynamics and league competitiveness.

With the disastrous season-ending injury to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum in their Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, there are now questions about when a possible return will take place. While there has been even trade speculation around the Celtics because of the injury, there are many reasons to believe that won’t […]
The post Celtics’ Jayson Tatum returning for 2026 playoffs would be unprecedented appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jayson Tatum's season-ending injury in Game 4 against the New York Knicks has raised concerns about his return timeline, with speculation suggesting a 2026 playoff comeback would be unprecedented. Trade rumors surrounding the Celtics have emerged, but the likelihood of such moves remains uncertain.  

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum returning for 2026 playoffs would be unprecedented

The Dallas Mavericks&#8217; 2024-25 season went from bad to worse when Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in early March. The star guard had successful surgery and continues to rehab the injury. Irving, who is expected to be ready for the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, gave an in-depth look at his recovery on social media: [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-news-kyrie-irving-inside-look-acl-injury-recovery">Mavericks&#8217; Kyrie Irving gives inside look at ACL injury recovery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

Irving's injury update provides insight into his rehabilitation process, which is crucial for the Mavericks' future performance. ACL injuries are significant in sports, and his recovery timeline could impact team dynamics and fan expectations for the next season.

The Dallas Mavericks’ 2024-25 season went from bad to worse when Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in early March. The star guard had successful surgery and continues to rehab the injury. Irving, who is expected to be ready for the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, gave an in-depth look at his recovery on social media: […]
The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving gives inside look at ACL injury recovery appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving shared details about his ACL injury recovery on social media after undergoing successful surgery in March 2024. He is expected to return for the 2025-26 season.  

Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving gives inside look at ACL injury recovery

The modern NBA is volatile and ruthless, but since Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been a part of the Boston Celtics, they&#8217;ve consistently contended for championships. Some postseasons culminated in disappointing exits in the Eastern Conference Finals, while 2024 brought the Celtics their first championship in over 15 years. No matter the result, Tatum [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/3-untouchable-celtics-jayson-tatum-brutal-injury">3 untouchable Celtics amid Jayson Tatum’s brutal injury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

The article highlights the resilience of the Celtics amid injuries, underscoring how elite teams navigate adversity while maintaining championship aspirations—a common theme in professional sports where injuries can reshape title races.

The modern NBA is volatile and ruthless, but since Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been a part of the Boston Celtics, they’ve consistently contended for championships. Some postseasons culminated in disappointing exits in the Eastern Conference Finals, while 2024 brought the Celtics their first championship in over 15 years. No matter the result, Tatum […]
The post 3 untouchable Celtics amid Jayson Tatum’s brutal injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite Jayson Tatum's injury, the Boston Celtics remain strong contenders with key untouchable players, including Jaylen Brown, who have consistently kept the team in championship contention, culminating in their 2024 NBA title.  

3 untouchable Celtics amid Jayson Tatum’s brutal injury

Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett sent Jayson Tatum a heartwarming message after the superstar&#8217;s crushing injury against the New York Knicks. It&#8217;s been a brutal 24 hours for the defending champs. It was a back-and-forth affair on Monday with Tatum was having one of the best games of his career in Game 4 against a [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-kevin-garnett-sends-heartwarming-message-jayson-tatum-after-injury">Celtics legend Kevin Garnett sends heartwarming message to Jayson Tatum after injury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

This highlights the camaraderie and mentorship within the NBA, especially among Celtics players, while underscoring the impact of injuries on team dynamics and playoff momentum. Garnett's gesture reflects the broader culture of support in professional sports during challenging moments.

Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett sent Jayson Tatum a heartwarming message after the superstar’s crushing injury against the New York Knicks. It’s been a brutal 24 hours for the defending champs. It was a back-and-forth affair on Monday with Tatum was having one of the best games of his career in Game 4 against a […]
The post Celtics legend Kevin Garnett sends heartwarming message to Jayson Tatum after injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Celtics legend Kevin Garnett shared a supportive message with Jayson Tatum following Tatum's injury during Game 4 against the New York Knicks, where he was performing exceptionally well before the setback.  

Celtics legend Kevin Garnett sends heartwarming message to Jayson Tatum after injury

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum underwent surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon on Tuesday.  

Celtics' Tatum has surgery on ruptured Achilles

What can Tatum expect in terms of recovery, and how will the franchise move forward?

Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear and subsequent surgery raise questions about his recovery timeline and the Boston Celtics' strategy moving forward without their All-Star player.  

What's next for Jayson Tatum and the Celtics following his Achilles injury?

Whether you were rooting for the New York Knicks or the Boston Celtics to win Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, basketball fans everywhere were stunned and saddened by Jayson Tatum&#8217;s fourth-quarter injury. It was later announced by the Celtics&#8217; official X account and Instagram that Tatum &#8220;underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-york-knicks/ben-stiller-sends-celtics-jayson-tatum-uplifting-message-after-injury">Ben Stiller sends Celtics’ Jayson Tatum uplifting message after injury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

This highlights the camaraderie and support among celebrities and athletes, even amid competitive sports. It also underscores the broader impact of player injuries on team dynamics and fan morale during critical playoff moments.

Whether you were rooting for the New York Knicks or the Boston Celtics to win Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, basketball fans everywhere were stunned and saddened by Jayson Tatum’s fourth-quarter injury. It was later announced by the Celtics’ official X account and Instagram that Tatum “underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured […]
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Actor Ben Stiller sent an uplifting message to Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum after the star player suffered a fourth-quarter injury during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum later underwent successful surgery for a ruptured injury.  

Ben Stiller sends Celtics’ Jayson Tatum uplifting message after injury

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent surgery on Tuesday after suffering an Achilles injury in the team&#8217;s 121-113 Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. It&#8217;s an injury we&#8217;ve seen several players suffer before, including Kevin Durant in 2019 when he tore his Achilles with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Hall [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-charles-barkley-gives-jayson-tatum-kevin-durant-advice-after-achilles-injury">Charles Barkley gives Celtics&#8217; Jayson Tatum some Kevin Durant advice after Achilles injury</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

Tatum's injury raises concerns about his recovery timeline and its impact on the Celtics' playoff hopes, while also highlighting the recurring challenge of Achilles injuries in the NBA and their long-term effects on players' careers.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent surgery on Tuesday after suffering an Achilles injury in the team’s 121-113 Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. It’s an injury we’ve seen several players suffer before, including Kevin Durant in 2019 when he tore his Achilles with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Hall […]
The post Charles Barkley gives Celtics’ Jayson Tatum some Kevin Durant advice after Achilles injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum underwent surgery for an Achilles injury sustained during a playoff game. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley offered Tatum advice, referencing Kevin Durant's similar injury in 2019.  

Charles Barkley gives Celtics’ Jayson Tatum some Kevin Durant advice after Achilles injury

The Golden State Warriors are down and Stephen Curry is out for Game 5, unable to return from a strained left hamstring that sidelined him in Game 1.,

Curry's absence significantly weakens the Warriors' chances in a critical playoff game, highlighting the impact of star player injuries on team performance and postseason outcomes.

The Golden State Warriors will be without Stephen Curry for Game 5 due to a strained left hamstring, an injury that has kept him out since Game 1.  

Warriors list Stephen Curry as out for Game 5

The Boston Celtics announced that Jayson Tatum underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon.,No timetable was available for Ta

Tatum's injury is a significant setback for the Celtics, potentially impacting their playoff chances and raising concerns about his long-term performance. This highlights the broader issue of athlete injuries in high-stakes sports and their ripple effects on team dynamics and fan expectations.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, with no recovery timetable provided.  

Celtics star Jayson Tatum undergoes Achilles surgery

Boston Celtics fans received the worst possible news as Jayson Tatum underwent Achilles surgery, ending his 2024-25 season.

Tatum's absence is a major setback for the Celtics' championship aspirations and could impact the team's performance and playoff chances. This also highlights the ongoing issue of injuries affecting key players in professional sports.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent Achilles surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.  

Jayson Tatum undergoes Achilles surgery, ending his season

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum joined a long list of injured stars in the NBA Playoffs on Monday. Fellow All-Stars Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard&#8217;s injuries share one thing in common with Tatum&#8217;s; they were all non-contact. Zach Lowe talked about the injuries around the league, drawing a connection between them and a long regular [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/zach-lowe-points-finger-at-jayson-tatums-injury-to-larger-nba-problem">Zach Lowe points finger at Jayson Tatum’s injury to larger NBA problem</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

This news underscores growing concerns about player health in the NBA, particularly the impact of a packed regular season and non-contact injuries on postseason competitiveness, potentially prompting discussions about schedule reform or load management policies.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum joined a long list of injured stars in the NBA Playoffs on Monday. Fellow All-Stars Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard’s injuries share one thing in common with Tatum’s; they were all non-contact. Zach Lowe talked about the injuries around the league, drawing a connection between them and a long regular […]
The post Zach Lowe points finger at Jayson Tatum’s injury to larger NBA problem appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA analyst Zach Lowe highlights Jayson Tatum's non-contact injury as part of a concerning trend among star players, including Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, linking it to the league's demanding schedule and physical toll.  

Zach Lowe points finger at Jayson Tatum’s injury to larger NBA problem

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 <img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at New York Knicks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wYP28FJs0yCY3orX3VA8gOr_SG8=/0x0:3413x2275/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74080933/usa_today_26162235.0.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption>
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 The resulting shockwave from this Achilles injury could reshape the NBA. One of the NBA’s brightest young stars is potentially going to be out until 2027.
<a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>’ forward Jayson Tatum, in the midst of one of his best playoff performances in his career, tore his right Achilles in the Celtics’ game 4 loss to the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a>. According to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1922392340229951701">ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania</a>, Tatum underwent surgery to repair the injury, and a “long rehab” awaits. 
Tatum’s injury not only took the air out of Madison Square Garden, and not only does this affect the Celtics this year, but it could have major implications for the NBA going forward.
<aside id="snHTVZ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"How NBA players have historically fared after Achilles injuries ","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/1/27/16940178/nba-achilles-injury-history-kevin-durant-golden-state-warriors-future"}]}'></div></aside>In the short term, this is a devastating blow to a Celtics team that hoped to repeat as champions. Tatum was the focal point on both sides of the ball, and with him out and facing a 3-1 hole, the Celtics’ chances at a repeat get extremely slim. Outside of Boston, however, the title race is wide open. The Knicks’ odds of winning the entire thing go up drastically with this injury, and the Indiana Pacers could reach the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> if they dispatch the Cavaliers. In the west, the Thunder and Nuggets are still knotted at two games apiece, in a series that might go to seven. The Timberwolves are on the brink of making another conference final after getting out to a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. With the Celtics potentially on their way out, the title race becomes anyones’ game.
Beyond this season, however, the details might get even more grim for Boston. Given the severity of the injury and when it took place, Tatum could end up returning in 2027. Achilles injury timelines vary depending on the severity, but Tatum and the Celtics could be looking at a whole year lost due to surgery and the recovery timeline. Given that the Celtics’ franchise player will be out for all of 2026, Boston is faced with some big financial implications. They’re well over the second apron when it comes to contracts, and it handicaps them if they want to make any additions to the team. What this means is that this version of the Celtics is one we might never see again. Starters will have to be dumped for salary reasons (Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday come to mind), and with Tatum out forward Jaylen Brown will have to keep the Celtics’ head above water for at least 2026. 
Outside of Boston, that means the Eastern Conference is potentially wide open. Tatum will be out and <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade, meaning the chances for teams like the Pacers or Knicks to potentially repeat as conference champions are right now. Even beyond those teams, franchises on the rise like the Orlando Magic could make a deep run, and you can never count out the Miami Heat, who are looking to add more firepower this offseason.
Tatum’s injury sent shockwaves not only through MSG, but through the entire NBA. While much is uncertain right now, one thing is for sure: the NBA won’t look the same the next time Tatum suits up.

Tatum's injury not only derails the Celtics' playoff hopes but also affects the league's competitive balance, as one of its rising stars faces a prolonged absence. This highlights the fragility of player health and its broader implications for team success and league dynamics.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
    

  
The resulting shockwave from this Achilles injury could reshape the NBA.
 One of the NBA’s brightest young stars is potentially going to be out until 2027.
Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum, in the midst of one of his best playoff performances in his career, tore his right Achilles in the Celtics’ game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. According to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, Tatum underwent surgery to repair the injury, and a “long rehab” awaits. 
Tatum’s injury not only took the air out of Madison Square Garden, and not only does this affect the Celtics this year, but it could have major implications for the NBA going forward.


In the short term, this is a devastating blow to a Celtics team that hoped to repeat as champions. Tatum was the focal point on both sides of the ball, and with him out and facing a 3-1 hole, the Celtics’ chances at a repeat get extremely slim. Outside of Boston, however, the title race is wide open. The Knicks’ odds of winning the entire thing go up drastically with this injury, and the Indiana Pacers could reach the NBA Finals if they dispatch the Cavaliers. In the west, the Thunder and Nuggets are still knotted at two games apiece, in a series that might go to seven. The Timberwolves are on the brink of making another conference final after getting out to a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. With the Celtics potentially on their way out, the title race becomes anyones’ game.
Beyond this season, however, the details might get even more grim for Boston. Given the severity of the injury and when it took place, Tatum could end up returning in 2027. Achilles injury timelines vary depending on the severity, but Tatum and the Celtics could be looking at a whole year lost due to surgery and the recovery timeline. Given that the Celtics’ franchise player will be out for all of 2026, Boston is faced with some big financial implications. They’re well over the second apron when it comes to contracts, and it handicaps them if they want to make any additions to the team. What this means is that this version of the Celtics is one we might never see again. Starters will have to be dumped for salary reasons (Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday come to mind), and with Tatum out forward Jaylen Brown will have to keep the Celtics’ head above water for at least 2026. 
Outside of Boston, that means the Eastern Conference is potentially wide open. Tatum will be out and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade, meaning the chances for teams like the Pacers or Knicks to potentially repeat as conference champions are right now. Even beyond those teams, franchises on the rise like the Orlando Magic could make a deep run, and you can never count out the Miami Heat, who are looking to add more firepower this offseason.
Tatum’s injury sent shockwaves not only through MSG, but through the entire NBA. While much is uncertain right now, one thing is for sure: the NBA won’t look the same the next time Tatum suits up.

Jayson Tatum, a key player for the Boston Celtics, suffered a torn Achilles during the playoffs, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehab, potentially sidelining him until 2027. This injury could significantly impact the NBA landscape.  

Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury a brutal blow to NBA

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 <img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2B6NwiPST699-8h5yoZoSso3pjk=/0x0:1850x1233/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58476641/durant_2.9.jpg" />
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 An Achilles tear is the worst injury you can have in basketball. When will Kevin Durant be back? May 13, 2025 update: Boston Celtics star <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/13/24429542/jayson-tatum-injury-achilles-celtics-knicks-nba-playoffs">Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon</a> in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Read on to learn more about the history of NBA players suffering an Achilles injury and their performance upon returning to the court.
2019 update: This story was originally published on Jan. 27, 2018 in light of DeMarcus Cousins’ torn Achilles. It was updated on July 2, when Cousins signed with the Warriors. It was updated again after Kevin Durant’s injury in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
With just over two minutes left to go in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant’s career took a turn. In his first game in a month since injuring his calf, the Warriors’ star planted awkwardly and crumpled to the floor. The team fears an MRI will confirm the worst: <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/11/18661060/kevin-durant-injury-warriors-achilles-nba-finals-legacy">Durant likely tore his Achilles tendon</a>.
When will Durant play again? Good question. It might not be for a while, judging from past history.
Consider what happened with Durant’s teammate, DeMarcus Cousins. In late January of 2018, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/111936/demarcus-cousins">Cousins</a>, then with the New Orleans Pelicans, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2018/1/26/16939320/demarcus-cousins-injury-pelicans-achilles-ankle-leg-timeline-news">landed awkwardly chasing a loose ball</a>. The next day, he was diagnosed with an Achilles tear.
<aside id="p098Gq"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The unbearable sadness of DeMarcus Cousins’ injury","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/1/27/16939724/demarcus-cousins-injury-pelicans-sadness"}]}'></div></aside>Cousins did not return to the court for a full calendar year, and has hardly looked like his old self since.
That’s because the Achilles tendon tear is devastating. Though there has never been a good injury, the Achilles tendon tear is particularly heinous. In fact, among frequently suffered major basketball injuries, there’s nothing worse than a torn Achilles.
<aside id="yd6Sa7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The unbearable sadness of DeMarcus Cousins’ injury","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/1/27/16939724/demarcus-cousins-injury-pelicans-sadness"}]}'></div></aside>We know more about ACL tears, and there are occasionally injuries that are more gruesome, like Gordon Hayward’s broken ankle during the 2017 season opener. We’ve also seen players recover quicker from Achilles injuries in recent years than the past. However, we’ve also seen many players never fully recover and, in some instances, never play another game.
According to <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0363546513490659">a 2013 medical study</a> that identified 18 players who suffered major Achilles injuries over a 23-year span (1988-2011), seven players never returned to the league. Players who returned missed an average of 56 games and saw their PER decline in their first and second seasons back. <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/history-not-kind-for-ruptured-achilles-recovery/">A 2015 CBS Sports article</a> found that among 14 players who returned from Achilles injuries since 1992, they averaged fewer minutes while both their field goal and three-point percentages dropped, on average. There are very few complete success stories.
That’s the uphill battle Durant is facing. 
<aside id="llPy02"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"This is Kevin Durant’s legacy","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/11/18661060/kevin-durant-injury-warriors-achilles-nba-finals-legacy"},{"title":"An NBA Finals game for the ages (burn all recordings of it, please)","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/6/11/18661032/warriors-vs-raptors-nba-finals-kevin-durant-injury-klay-thompson-gmib"},{"title":"The Golden Breakdown: Kevin Durant gave it his all for his team, and the Warriors gave it their all for their survival","url":"https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2019/6/11/18660961/nba-finals-2019-game-5-warriors-raptors-kevin-durant-steph-curry-klay-thompson-video-breakdown?_ga=2.183196706.589911947.1559910386-712975078.1544039764"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="mALkTq">What happens during an Achilles tendon tear?</h2>
The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest in the entire body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bones. Back in 2015, Mavs Moneyball spoke to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_R._Stone">Dr. Kevin Stone</a>, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/7/13/8913077/achilles-injury-rehab-wes-matthews-dallas-mavericks-doctor">Here’s how he described the tendon:</a>
<blockquote>The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. It’s designed to stretch, it’s designed to absorb force when the athlete lands from a jump. It’s designed to provide power for push off when taking a running step. And so, Achilles tendon ruptures are classically the scourge of a 40- to 60-year-old male. It’s uncommon in sports injuries for it to be women or it to be younger athletes. So the unusual Achilles rupture in the basketball player or a female is usually bad luck -- landing from a bad position, landing awkwardly hard on the leg.</blockquote>
One common description of an Achilles tendon is as a rubber band. A grade 1 or 2 strain means that the Achilles has swelling or might be partially torn, but in our rubber band analogy, the muscle is still connected on both sides and still works, albeit less effectively. A grade 3 tear means that Achilles muscle, or the rubber band, has snapped and is now flopping around uselessly with no ability to reconnect itself. The MRI will determine where Durant’s injury falls in that spectrum.
Recovery times range from six months to an entire year. If you’re interested in more information about the surgery, definitely <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/7/13/8913077/achilles-injury-rehab-wes-matthews-dallas-mavericks-doctor">read the full Stone interview.</a>
<h2 id="8X5tnN">Notable players who have suffered Achilles injuries</h2>
There are several examples of articles that have compared player statistics before and after an Achilles — see these good stories on <a href="https://deadspin.com/how-an-achilles-tear-affects-nba-players-or-why-kobe-472944871">Deadspin</a> and <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/history-not-kind-for-ruptured-achilles-recovery/">CBS Sports</a>. That said, there’s always an issue with comparing those numbers. The injury may be the biggest factor, but there’s also minute limitations, natural aging, and smaller roles to consider.
It might be best to go through the most notable players who have suffered torn Achilles tendons, and how they recovered. For this exercise, it makes more sense to focus on established NBA players, rather than bench players, though we make a few exceptions.
Other NBA players who have suffered Achilles injuries since 2000 that aren’t spotlighted here include: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35065/darrell-arthur">Darrell Arthur</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/67818/jonas-jerebko">Jonas Jerebko</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21820/dan-dickau">Dan Dickau</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/157948/jeff-taylor">Jeff Taylor</a>, and Christian Laettner.
Here are the most notable players who suffered torn Achilles tendons in the past two decades, and how they recovered from it.
<h3 id="Fjbj5G">DeMarcus Cousins</h3>
When the injury happened: A January, 2018 game at age 27.
Before the injury: Cousins was on his way to a fifth straight All-Star appearance. In his first full season alongside Anthony Davis, Cousins was averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, helping New Orleans stay in the playoff hunt.
After the injury: Cousins <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/did-pelicans-offer-demarcus-cousins-contract-only-me-and-dell-demps-know-what-was-said">reportedly turned down a two-year, $40 million offer from the Pelicans</a>, but when no others offers presented themselves, he signed a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Warriors. He returned to the court in mid-January and averaged 16 points and eight rebounds in just under 26 minutes a game. He injured his quad in the first round of the playoffs before returning for a brief cameo in the NBA Finals.
<h3 id="eZ8mII"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21735/rudy-gay">Rudy Gay</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A January, 2017 game at age 30.
Before the injury: Gay was averaged 34 minutes while scoring 19 points on career-high efficiency figures with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/sacramento-kings">Kings</a>.
After the injury: In 2017-18, Gay’s efficiency remained about the same as his previous season, but his minutes were greatly reduced in San Antonio. The next season, Gay experienced a renaissance, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game on career-high scoring efficiency. He’s not the same player he once was, but his relatively quick recovery process, along with players like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/89065/wesley-matthews">Wesley Matthews</a>, would seem to show that Achilles rehab has quickened slightly from the 2000s.
<h3 id="8cxIlj">Wes Matthews</h3>
When the injury happened: A March, 2015 game at age 28.
Before the injury: Matthews averaged more than 15 points on a 57.5 True Shooting Percentage in Portland.
After the injury: Matthews incredibly started in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/dallas-mavericks">Mavericks’</a> season opener in 2015, but he has never been the same player. His 2017-18 campaign is the best since the injury, but Matthews never recovered his full mobility and his two-point shooting remained well below his career numbers. 
<h3 id="ddgXyA"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71910/brandon-jennings">Brandon Jennings</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A January, 2015 game at age 26.
Before the injury: Jennings had played for Detroit and Milwaukee as a backup point guard and may have been headed out of the league anyway.
After the injury: Jennings had two stints with teams equalling 81 games. Neither was particularly effective.
<h3 id="CN5Xuv"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21869/kobe-bryant">Kobe Bryant</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A March, 2013 game at age 34.
Before the injury: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/199627/kobe-bryant">Bryant</a> was past his prime, but he was still a dominant force, averaging 27.3 points on 46 percent shooting that season.
After the injury: Bryant played six, 35, and 66 games in the next three seasons before retiring. He averaged 19 points on just 37 percent shooting from the field.
<h3 id="CGu4zF"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21848/anderson-varejao">Anderson Varejao</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A December, 2014 game at age 32
Before the injury: After dealing with major injuries for three straight seasons, Varejao’s 2013-14 effort was his healthiest yet, playing 65 games. He made it through 26 games in 2014 before the torn Achilles.
After the injury: Varejao played 67 games and just 588 minutes in the next two seasons, combined. The injury effectively ended his career.
<h3 id="OfFNNh"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21686/chauncey-billups">Chauncey Billups</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A February, 2012 game at age 35.
Before the injury: Billups was still averaging 15 points that season before his Achilles injury, though he was only shooting 36 percent from the field.
After the injury: Billups played just 41 more games over the next two seasons before retiring.
<h3 id="8biYsl"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21646/mehmet-okur">Mehmet Okur</a></h3>
When the injury happened: An April, 2010 playoff game at age 30.
Before the injury: Okur averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds during the 2009-10 regular season, starting all 73 games for Utah.
After the injury: Okur played just 30 more games across two seasons for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/utah-jazz">Jazz</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/brooklyn-nets">Nets</a>. Neither was particularly effective.
<h3 id="dqs8Ha"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21756/elton-brand">Elton Brand</a></h3>
When the injury happened: An August, 2007 offseason workout at age 28.
Before the injury: Through his first nine seasons, Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds as an athletic force known for his leaping abilities. It wasn’t ridiculous to think that Brand could have been a Hall of Fame candidate if he had been allowed to continue his prime uninterrupted.
After the injury: Brand averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the 2010-11 season, but never eclipsed those numbers in any other one. In an interview with <a href="http://InsideSocal.com">InsideSocal.com</a>, Brand said this:
<blockquote>I didn’t have the same explosiveness that I had. I regained and then I relost it. I didn’t have it. I had to change my game a little bit where I jumped off two feet and I was a little bit slower.</blockquote>
<h3 id="i0Av28"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/107587/voshon-lenard">Voshon Lenard</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A December, 2004 game at age 30.
Before the injury: Lenard was one of the league’s best shooters, and finished his career just shy of 1,000 made threes. In the 2003-04 season, he averaged 14 points while playing 73 games for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a>.
After the injury: Lenard only played 29 more games across two seasons following his torn Achilles tendon.
<h3 id="9sof0R"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21619/maurice-taylor">Maurice Taylor</a></h3>
When the injury happened: A September, 2001 offseason workout at age 24.
Before the injury: Taylor was a promising young player for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/houston-rockets">Houston Rockets</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/los-angeles-clippers">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, averaging 14 points and five rebounds in his first four seasons.
After the injury: Taylor never even reached his rookie season numbers again, averaging just eight points, although he did play 286 more games.
<h3 id="JPN7TE">LaPhonso Ellis</h3>
When the injury happened: An April, 1997 game at age 26.
Before the injury: Ellis was a high-flier in the 90s in the midst of a career year, averaging 22 points and seven rebounds before the torn Achilles.
After the injury: Ellis played six more seasons, but he never even hit 15 points per game again and averaged just 9.3 during 357 more games.
<h3 id="3Dp8Gl">Dominique Wilkins</h3>
When the injury happened: A January, 1992 game at age 32.
Before the injury: Wilkins is a strange case, and perhaps not perfectly comparable, given his injury happened nearly 25 years ago with few similar examples since. But he was one of the league’s most dominant scorers in his prime.
After the injury: No player has ever recovered to the same level that Wilkins did after a torn Achilles. Across Wilkins’ next two seasons, he averaged 28 points and nearly seven rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting. His numbers declined the next year, but Wilkins also turned 35 — it was going to happen eventually.
<aside id="8uuWiQ"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"good_morning_basektball"}'></div></aside><h2 id="3jSmmS">What’s the usual outcome for Achilles injuries</h2>
Every injury, body type, and player is different, of course. An Achilles injury for one player doesn’t affect everyone the same way. That said, it’s a terrible injury that typically bodes poorly for the player involved. Generally, this is what happens.
<ul>
<li id="e5ifpi">Achilles injuries affect players over 30 the worst, often shortening their careers to just another season or two. Durant will turn 31 just before the start of next season.</li>
<li id="bod6re">Achilles injuries aren’t career shortening for players under 30, at least not immediately</li>
<li id="AZuRKY">However, players who suffer Achilles injuries rarely reach their pre-injury peak, and certainly not for an extended amount of time.</li>
<li id="XpQ9jL">Recent trends point to Achilles rehabilitation taking closer to six to eight months, rather than nine to 12 months. That’d put Durant back sometime in the middle of next season if there is a complete rupture. But chances are, he’ll play this conservatively.</li>
</ul>
We’re hoping Kevin Durant beats the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/odds">odds</a> and returns to form, and that any player suffering from an Achilles injury does the same. It’s an uphill climb, though. Achilles injuries are just horrible.
<aside id="xxtwN9"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"Warriors fan?","description":"Check out our Warriors blog!","label":"Golden State of Mind","url":"https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/"}'></div></aside>

Achilles injuries are a major setback for NBA players, often leading to prolonged recovery times and uncertain career outcomes. This news underscores the physical risks in professional sports and raises questions about player longevity and team dynamics when key athletes are sidelined.

An Achilles tear is the worst injury you can have in basketball. When will Kevin Durant be back?
 May 13, 2025 update: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. Read on to learn more about the history of NBA players suffering an Achilles injury and their performance upon returning to the court.
2019 update: This story was originally published on Jan. 27, 2018 in light of DeMarcus Cousins’ torn Achilles. It was updated on July 2, when Cousins signed with the Warriors. It was updated again after Kevin Durant’s injury in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
With just over two minutes left to go in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant’s career took a turn. In his first game in a month since injuring his calf, the Warriors’ star planted awkwardly and crumpled to the floor. The team fears an MRI will confirm the worst: Durant likely tore his Achilles tendon.
When will Durant play again? Good question. It might not be for a while, judging from past history.
Consider what happened with Durant’s teammate, DeMarcus Cousins. In late January of 2018, Cousins, then with the New Orleans Pelicans, landed awkwardly chasing a loose ball. The next day, he was diagnosed with an Achilles tear.


Cousins did not return to the court for a full calendar year, and has hardly looked like his old self since.
That’s because the Achilles tendon tear is devastating. Though there has never been a good injury, the Achilles tendon tear is particularly heinous. In fact, among frequently suffered major basketball injuries, there’s nothing worse than a torn Achilles.


We know more about ACL tears, and there are occasionally injuries that are more gruesome, like Gordon Hayward’s broken ankle during the 2017 season opener. We’ve also seen players recover quicker from Achilles injuries in recent years than the past. However, we’ve also seen many players never fully recover and, in some instances, never play another game.
According to a 2013 medical study that identified 18 players who suffered major Achilles injuries over a 23-year span (1988-2011), seven players never returned to the league. Players who returned missed an average of 56 games and saw their PER decline in their first and second seasons back. A 2015 CBS Sports article found that among 14 players who returned from Achilles injuries since 1992, they averaged fewer minutes while both their field goal and three-point percentages dropped, on average. There are very few complete success stories.
That’s the uphill battle Durant is facing. 


What happens during an Achilles tendon tear?
The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest in the entire body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bones. Back in 2015, Mavs Moneyball spoke to Dr. Kevin Stone, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. Here’s how he described the tendon:
The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. It’s designed to stretch, it’s designed to absorb force when the athlete lands from a jump. It’s designed to provide power for push off when taking a running step. And so, Achilles tendon ruptures are classically the scourge of a 40- to 60-year-old male. It’s uncommon in sports injuries for it to be women or it to be younger athletes. So the unusual Achilles rupture in the basketball player or a female is usually bad luck -- landing from a bad position, landing awkwardly hard on the leg.

One common description of an Achilles tendon is as a rubber band. A grade 1 or 2 strain means that the Achilles has swelling or might be partially torn, but in our rubber band analogy, the muscle is still connected on both sides and still works, albeit less effectively. A grade 3 tear means that Achilles muscle, or the rubber band, has snapped and is now flopping around uselessly with no ability to reconnect itself. The MRI will determine where Durant’s injury falls in that spectrum.
Recovery times range from six months to an entire year. If you’re interested in more information about the surgery, definitely read the full Stone interview.
Notable players who have suffered Achilles injuries
There are several examples of articles that have compared player statistics before and after an Achilles — see these good stories on Deadspin and CBS Sports. That said, there’s always an issue with comparing those numbers. The injury may be the biggest factor, but there’s also minute limitations, natural aging, and smaller roles to consider.
It might be best to go through the most notable players who have suffered torn Achilles tendons, and how they recovered. For this exercise, it makes more sense to focus on established NBA players, rather than bench players, though we make a few exceptions.
Other NBA players who have suffered Achilles injuries since 2000 that aren’t spotlighted here include: Darrell Arthur, Jonas Jerebko, Dan Dickau, Jeff Taylor, and Christian Laettner.
Here are the most notable players who suffered torn Achilles tendons in the past two decades, and how they recovered from it.
DeMarcus Cousins
When the injury happened: A January, 2018 game at age 27.
Before the injury: Cousins was on his way to a fifth straight All-Star appearance. In his first full season alongside Anthony Davis, Cousins was averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, helping New Orleans stay in the playoff hunt.
After the injury: Cousins reportedly turned down a two-year, $40 million offer from the Pelicans, but when no others offers presented themselves, he signed a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Warriors. He returned to the court in mid-January and averaged 16 points and eight rebounds in just under 26 minutes a game. He injured his quad in the first round of the playoffs before returning for a brief cameo in the NBA Finals.
Rudy Gay
When the injury happened: A January, 2017 game at age 30.
Before the injury: Gay was averaged 34 minutes while scoring 19 points on career-high efficiency figures with the Kings.
After the injury: In 2017-18, Gay’s efficiency remained about the same as his previous season, but his minutes were greatly reduced in San Antonio. The next season, Gay experienced a renaissance, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game on career-high scoring efficiency. He’s not the same player he once was, but his relatively quick recovery process, along with players like Wesley Matthews, would seem to show that Achilles rehab has quickened slightly from the 2000s.
Wes Matthews
When the injury happened: A March, 2015 game at age 28.
Before the injury: Matthews averaged more than 15 points on a 57.5 True Shooting Percentage in Portland.
After the injury: Matthews incredibly started in the Mavericks’ season opener in 2015, but he has never been the same player. His 2017-18 campaign is the best since the injury, but Matthews never recovered his full mobility and his two-point shooting remained well below his career numbers. 
Brandon Jennings
When the injury happened: A January, 2015 game at age 26.
Before the injury: Jennings had played for Detroit and Milwaukee as a backup point guard and may have been headed out of the league anyway.
After the injury: Jennings had two stints with teams equalling 81 games. Neither was particularly effective.
Kobe Bryant
When the injury happened: A March, 2013 game at age 34.
Before the injury: Bryant was past his prime, but he was still a dominant force, averaging 27.3 points on 46 percent shooting that season.
After the injury: Bryant played six, 35, and 66 games in the next three seasons before retiring. He averaged 19 points on just 37 percent shooting from the field.
Anderson Varejao
When the injury happened: A December, 2014 game at age 32
Before the injury: After dealing with major injuries for three straight seasons, Varejao’s 2013-14 effort was his healthiest yet, playing 65 games. He made it through 26 games in 2014 before the torn Achilles.
After the injury: Varejao played 67 games and just 588 minutes in the next two seasons, combined. The injury effectively ended his career.
Chauncey Billups
When the injury happened: A February, 2012 game at age 35.
Before the injury: Billups was still averaging 15 points that season before his Achilles injury, though he was only shooting 36 percent from the field.
After the injury: Billups played just 41 more games over the next two seasons before retiring.
Mehmet Okur
When the injury happened: An April, 2010 playoff game at age 30.
Before the injury: Okur averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds during the 2009-10 regular season, starting all 73 games for Utah.
After the injury: Okur played just 30 more games across two seasons for the Jazz and Nets. Neither was particularly effective.
Elton Brand
When the injury happened: An August, 2007 offseason workout at age 28.
Before the injury: Through his first nine seasons, Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds as an athletic force known for his leaping abilities. It wasn’t ridiculous to think that Brand could have been a Hall of Fame candidate if he had been allowed to continue his prime uninterrupted.
After the injury: Brand averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the 2010-11 season, but never eclipsed those numbers in any other one. In an interview with InsideSocal.com, Brand said this:
I didn’t have the same explosiveness that I had. I regained and then I relost it. I didn’t have it. I had to change my game a little bit where I jumped off two feet and I was a little bit slower.

Voshon Lenard
When the injury happened: A December, 2004 game at age 30.
Before the injury: Lenard was one of the league’s best shooters, and finished his career just shy of 1,000 made threes. In the 2003-04 season, he averaged 14 points while playing 73 games for the Denver Nuggets.
After the injury: Lenard only played 29 more games across two seasons following his torn Achilles tendon.
Maurice Taylor
When the injury happened: A September, 2001 offseason workout at age 24.
Before the injury: Taylor was a promising young player for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 14 points and five rebounds in his first four seasons.
After the injury: Taylor never even reached his rookie season numbers again, averaging just eight points, although he did play 286 more games.
LaPhonso Ellis
When the injury happened: An April, 1997 game at age 26.
Before the injury: Ellis was a high-flier in the 90s in the midst of a career year, averaging 22 points and seven rebounds before the torn Achilles.
After the injury: Ellis played six more seasons, but he never even hit 15 points per game again and averaged just 9.3 during 357 more games.
Dominique Wilkins
When the injury happened: A January, 1992 game at age 32.
Before the injury: Wilkins is a strange case, and perhaps not perfectly comparable, given his injury happened nearly 25 years ago with few similar examples since. But he was one of the league’s most dominant scorers in his prime.
After the injury: No player has ever recovered to the same level that Wilkins did after a torn Achilles. Across Wilkins’ next two seasons, he averaged 28 points and nearly seven rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting. His numbers declined the next year, but Wilkins also turned 35 — it was going to happen eventually.


What’s the usual outcome for Achilles injuries
Every injury, body type, and player is different, of course. An Achilles injury for one player doesn’t affect everyone the same way. That said, it’s a terrible injury that typically bodes poorly for the player involved. Generally, this is what happens.
Achilles injuries affect players over 30 the worst, often shortening their careers to just another season or two. Durant will turn 31 just before the start of next season.
Achilles injuries aren’t career shortening for players under 30, at least not immediately
However, players who suffer Achilles injuries rarely reach their pre-injury peak, and certainly not for an extended amount of time.
Recent trends point to Achilles rehabilitation taking closer to six to eight months, rather than nine to 12 months. That’d put Durant back sometime in the middle of next season if there is a complete rupture. But chances are, he’ll play this conservatively.
We’re hoping Kevin Durant beats the odds and returns to form, and that any player suffering from an Achilles injury does the same. It’s an uphill climb, though. Achilles injuries are just horrible.

The article examines the impact of Achilles injuries on NBA players' careers, highlighting historical recovery trends and performance post-injury. It references recent cases like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, emphasizing the severity of such injuries in basketball.  

How NBA players have historically fared with Achilles injuries

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon and underwent surgery on Tuesday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. An MRI revealed the severity of the injury, which effectively ends the Celtics&#8217; title hopes and puts Tatum out for a vast majority, if not all, of the 2025-26 [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-undergoes-surgery-torn-achilles-injury">Celtics star Jayson Tatum undergoes surgery to repair torn Achilles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

Tatum's injury is a major setback for the Celtics, significantly weakening their championship contention and raising concerns about his long-term recovery. This also impacts the NBA landscape, as a key player's absence could shift playoff dynamics.

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon and underwent surgery on Tuesday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. An MRI revealed the severity of the injury, which effectively ends the Celtics’ title hopes and puts Tatum out for a vast majority, if not all, of the 2025-26 […]
The post Celtics star Jayson Tatum undergoes surgery to repair torn Achilles appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, ending the team's title hopes and likely sidelining him for most or all of the 2025-26 season.  

Celtics star Jayson Tatum undergoes surgery to repair torn Achilles

Between the three of them, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid played in 134 of the 246 possible games combined in the regular season. That&#8217;s just over 50% of their games in their first season together. Their absences from the lineup put Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse in tough positions every night. Injuries killed [&#8230;]
The post <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-paul-george-drops-scrambling-admission-joel-embiids-unavailability">76ers&#8217; Paul George drops ‘scrambling’ admission due to Joel Embiid&#8217;s unavailability</a> appeared first on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com">ClutchPoints</a>.

The 76ers' struggles highlight the broader issue of injury-prone rosters disrupting team chemistry and performance in the NBA, raising concerns about their playoff viability and long-term cohesion.

Between the three of them, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid played in 134 of the 246 possible games combined in the regular season. That’s just over 50% of their games in their first season together. Their absences from the lineup put Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse in tough positions every night. Injuries killed […]
The post 76ers’ Paul George drops ‘scrambling’ admission due to Joel Embiid’s unavailability appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Paul George admits the Philadelphia 76ers have been "scrambling" due to frequent absences, including Joel Embiid's injuries, which have limited the trio of George, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey to playing just over 50% of games together in their first season.  

76ers’ Paul George drops ‘scrambling’ admission due to Joel Embiid’s unavailability

SAN FRANCISCO —The NBA playoffs have been going for nearly a month, and everyone is suffering. Jayson Tatum awaits an MRI on <a href="https://defector.com/it-can-all-go-to-hell-in-a-hurry">a Monday night leg injury</a> that may well have ended his playoffs and Boston's title repeat hopes; Damian Lillard's Bucks career ended with an Achilles tear; and Steph Curry is down with a strained hamstring. The headlining injuries hardly even tell the story. The eight teams still in contention look battered and out of gas: The Nuggets scored just eight points in a first quarter, the Celtics whimpered and died in two straight fourth quarters, and the ailing Cavaliers were just ground into a fine powder by the Pacers. Things are going to get worse, as we're not even halfway through the playoffs. It is hard to shake the feeling, especially after the Tatum injury, that the eventual champion will not necessarily be the best team but the least damaged. Which brings us to the word of the playoffs: physicality.

Throughout this NBA postseason, players and coaches cannot stop talking about physicality, and the necessity of meeting it. "I think the physicality was there," Magic coach <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=_9WxlCmmozQ">Jamahl Mosley said</a> after his team lost Game 2 against the Celtics. "I don't think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed a line of physicality," Cavs coach <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/cavs-hc-kenny-atkinson-calls-out-pacers-crossing-line-of-physicality-game-1">Kenny Atkinson said</a> after his team lost Game 1 to the Pacers. "Our physicality was great tonight," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nYuCs8rclw">Jaylen Brown said</a> after taking a 3-1 lead against the Magic. "If you look around the playoffs right now, it’s super physical," Timberwolves coach <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/finch-feels-nba-playoffs-having-060607334.html">Chris Finch said</a> in the first round of his team's series against the Lakers. "To me, they’ve gone way too far on the physicality. [...] It feels like it’s physicality without purpose." After his team lost Game 3 against the Clippers, Nuggets coach <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhfm6wGGTnI">David Adelman provided</a> the diagnosis: "Defensively, we have to meet their physicality."

The physical toll of the NBA playoffs highlights the league's intense demands, raising concerns about player health, team durability, and the long-term impact of a grueling season on performance and careers.

SAN FRANCISCO —The NBA playoffs have been going for nearly a month, and everyone is suffering. Jayson Tatum awaits an MRI on a Monday night leg injury that may well have ended his playoffs and Boston's title repeat hopes; Damian Lillard's Bucks career ended with an Achilles tear; and Steph Curry is down with a strained hamstring. The headlining injuries hardly even tell the story. The eight teams still in contention look battered and out of gas: The Nuggets scored just eight points in a first quarter, the Celtics whimpered and died in two straight fourth quarters, and the ailing Cavaliers were just ground into a fine powder by the Pacers. Things are going to get worse, as we're not even halfway through the playoffs. It is hard to shake the feeling, especially after the Tatum injury, that the eventual champion will not necessarily be the best team but the least damaged. Which brings us to the word of the playoffs: physicality.
Throughout this NBA postseason, players and coaches cannot stop talking about physicality, and the necessity of meeting it. "I think the physicality was there," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after his team lost Game 2 against the Celtics. "I don't think they were dirty plays, but I think it passed a line of physicality," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said after his team lost Game 1 to the Pacers. "Our physicality was great tonight," Jaylen Brown said after taking a 3-1 lead against the Magic. "If you look around the playoffs right now, it’s super physical," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said in the first round of his team's series against the Lakers. "To me, they’ve gone way too far on the physicality. [...] It feels like it’s physicality without purpose." After his team lost Game 3 against the Clippers, Nuggets coach David Adelman provided the diagnosis: "Defensively, we have to meet their physicality."

The NBA playoffs have seen a surge of injuries, with stars like Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Steph Curry sidelined, jeopardizing their teams' championship hopes. Even remaining teams appear exhausted and physically depleted.  

Physicality Is Where Basketball Lives And Careers Die

Boston star Jayson Tatum sustained a right foot or ankle injury on a noncontact play late in the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the host New York Knicks on M

Tatum's injury could significantly impact the Celtics' playoff performance, raising concerns about their championship prospects and highlighting the fragility of star players in high-stakes games.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a right foot or ankle injury during a noncontact play in Game 4 against the Knicks and is scheduled for an MRI.  

Celtics star Jayson Tatum injured, headed for MRI

Tatum's injury could significantly impact the Celtics' playoff performance and alter the competitive balance in the Eastern Conference, raising concerns about player health and team depth in high-stakes games.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a right foot or ankle injury during a noncontact play in Game 4 against the Knicks, requiring assistance to leave the court.  

Celtics star Jayson Tatum injured, helped off vs. Knicks

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell underwent an MRI on Monday after exiting Sunday's Game 4 loss against the Indiana Pacers with an injured lef

Mitchell's potential absence could significantly impact the Cavaliers' playoff performance, as he is a key player. This highlights the broader issue of injuries affecting team dynamics and postseason outcomes in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell's availability for the next game is uncertain after an MRI on his injured left ankle, sustained during Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers.  

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