Kevin Durant Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insight on Jayson Tatum Recovery
Joe Mazzulla and Jayson Tatum's mother reached out to Kevin Durant for advice after Tatum tore his Achilles, Durant revealed in an exclusive interview with CLNS Media.
Reflecting on His Own Achilles Injury
After scoring 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting in a win over the Celtics at TD Garden, Durant, who recently turned 37, paused to consider how his infamous 2019 Achilles rupture changed his game. He mimicked a move, leaping aside and pulling up for an imaginary shot, then explained the adjustments he made.
“It was small, subtle changes, subtle tweaks,”
“But I felt like my bread-and-butter was my short to mid-range. I felt like I can still shoot the threes, the side-steps, the step-backs, that was cool, but I just felt like I had to be way more efficient and get closer to the rim.”
Becoming the Go-To Voice on Achilles Recovery
Durant reluctantly accepted the label as the "Achilles guy" — the player others turn to after suffering the same injury, a sudden calf injury followed by an inevitable fall to the floor.
His recovery stands out as one of the most successful in NBA history:
- Missed 15 months after the rupture
- Returned to average 26.9 points per game and made the All-Star team within his first 35 games back
- Into his sixth season post-injury, he averaged 27.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game
- Shooting 53.1% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range, matching or exceeding his previous 12 seasons
Durant’s resilience and adaptation have set a new standard for recovery and performance after a major Achilles injury.
Kevin Durant's experience underscores the importance of subtle game adjustments and resilience in returning stronger from a severe injury.