A torn Achilles is one of the worst injuries an NBA player can suffer, and sadly, we’ve seen them in great abundance recently. But one of the few silver linings from all of these awful injuries is that players are getting to go through the recovery process together.
In the 2025 playoffs alone, we saw Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and finally Tyrese Haliburton all succumb to Achilles tears. The trio was able to lean on each other and look for advice, support, and motivation. Dame and Tyrese are set to return this season, while, obviously, JT came back in March for the stretch run and playoffs.
Tatum’s quick surgery and rapid recovery have become the gold standard, as he was able to successfully come back after just over nine months, looking largely like his All-NBA self again. And now, he’s using his experience to help his contemporaries, starting with Donte DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo has been helped by Tatum throughout his recovery process
Donte tore his Achilles in the 2026 playoffs and said he heard from Tatum in the following days, who offered words of encouragement. And on Monday, at Minnesota’s media day, DDV echoed that sentiment, saying he had been in contact with all three of JT, Haliburton, and Lillard, with Tatum being his main point of contact.
“Yeah, I’ve talked to Dame, Ty, and JT, and they’ve helped me in different aspects. I’d say I talked to JT the most, and it’s been very, very helpful.”
He went on to talk about how much it helps to be able to bounce things off of other players and talk about how their processes have been the same and different, comparing progress and different benchmarks along the way.
Tatum's character off the court shines bright as ever
And much like Tatum, DiVincenzo appears to be ahead of schedule and is hoping to return to the court at some point during the 2026-27 season for the Timberwolves. I’m not saying Tatum is directly responsible for inspiring and motivating him along, but Donte said himself how helpful it has been.
This speaks volumes about the kind of person Tatum is and how much the NBA is a brotherhood. JT has talked about how much of a low point the injury was and how tough the early stages of his recovery process were. The fact that he has turned it into something positive and is sharing his experience to help others is pretty impressive and shows a level of maturity and caring that’s admirable.
There has never been any reason to doubt Tatum’s character, but the more we get stories about not just the basketball player he is, but the human being, the more it makes it evident that Celtics fans should be incredibly proud and grateful to have him as the face of the franchise.
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