Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is an official diagnosis away from disaster. In the midst of a 42-point performance in Game 4 of the Celtics' second-round series against the New York Knicks, Tatum took one wrong step and immediately spawned the widespread fear that he'd torn his Achilles tendon.
The unfortunate truth is that a torn Achilles has marked the end of many decorated careers, but there is a recent exception to that rule whom Tatum should visualize during his own potential rehabilitation: Kevin Durant.
Durant infamously suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Game 5 of the 2018 NBA Finals. Durant was mere months shy of turning 30 at the time and had already endured a Jones fracture in his foot that had precipitated a series of lower-leg injuries during his mid-to-late 20s.
Durant sadly missed the entire 2019-20 season and played just 35 games in 2020-21, but he's since returned to his superstar ways.
Durant was 32 when he returned to the court, which is crucial context to consider in any discussion about Tatum. He's admittedly had some degree of issues with his availability since the Achilles tear, but he's also played 137 games over the past two seasons, averaging 26.9 points per game during that time.
For Tatum, who's only 27, there's a real possibility that he'll be back at the level he's accustomed to playing at by the time he turns 30.
Kevin Durant proof an Achilles tear isn't a career-ending injury
Tatum won't turn 28 until March of 2026, meaning he has nearly a full year before his next birthday. He could potentially return by then, although Boston would be rational to take a more cautious approach to bringing him back and instead target the 2026-27 season.
Regardless of how Tatum and the Celtics approach his road to recovery, the point is that he could be back on the court at 28—and back at his peak level by 29.
Tatum's peak level of performance is an admittedly high standard. He's already a four-time All-NBA honoree with three First Team nods, and he should gain a fourth for the remarkable effort he produced during the 2024-25 season.
Tatum finished the 2024-25 regular season averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.5 three-point field goals made per game.
A dynamic player who can find the bottom of the net at all three levels, Tatum is as skilled as any scorer in the NBA. He's also developed into a high-level playmaker, an elite rebounder for his position, and one of the most under-appreciated defenders in the Association.
Durant, meanwhile, returned from an Achilles injury just shy of turning 30 and continued to thrive as a two-way player in his own right.
There are differences that should be acknowledged in addition to age. Durant is a 6'11" physical anomaly with longer limbs than the average player, as well as a reliance on sudden cuts on the drive, while Tatum is 6'8" with a game that relies less on stop-and-go actions.
Regardless of their differences, one truth remains: Durant proved that players can come back from torn Achilles tendons. Tatum can follow in those very footsteps.