Kevin Durant Shares Insight on Jayson Tatum's Recovery
After Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles, Joe Mazzulla and Tatum's mother sought advice from Kevin Durant, he revealed in an exclusive interview with CLNS Media.
Durant Reflects on His Own Achilles Injury
Following the Celtics game at TD Garden, where Durant scored 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting and had just turned 37 a month prior, he reflected on how his 2019 Achilles rupture changed his game. He demonstrated with gestures, mimicking a jump shot, then shared how he adapted.
“It was small, subtle changes, subtle tweaks,” Durant explained. “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.”
Durant's Journey After the Injury
Durant reluctantly became known as the "Achilles guy"—the player others turn to after suffering the same injury. His recovery is remarkable:
- Missed 15 months recovering from the rupture
- Averaged 26.9 points per game and made the All-Star team in his first 35 games back
- Currently in his sixth season since the injury, posting 27.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game
- Shooting efficiency of 53.1% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range
Durant’s performance since the injury matches or surpasses his output over the previous 12 seasons.
Author's Summary
Kevin Durant’s thoughtful adjustments after his Achilles injury demonstrate resilience, inspiring both teammates and fans by excelling at a high level post-recovery.