Kevin Durant Discusses Jayson Tatum's Achilles Recovery
Kevin Durant revealed in an exclusive interview with CLNS Media that Joe Mazzulla and Jayson Tatum's mother sought his advice after Tatum suffered an Achilles injury. Durant reflected on his own recovery from a similar injury in 2019, explaining how it changed his playing style.
Durant Reflects on His Post-Injury Adjustments
After scoring 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting to help his team defeat the Celtics, Durant, who turned 37 just a month prior, shared insights on how the Achilles rupture affected his game. He described subtle but important changes in his approach:
“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 Achilles Expert
Durant reluctantly assumed the role of the go-to player for others recovering from Achilles injuries, noted for his exceptional comeback. He described the injury as feeling like "someone kicked your calf" followed by a sudden fall.
- He missed 15 months during his recovery.
- Returned averaging 26.9 points per game in his first 35 games back.
- Made the All-Star team immediately after his return.
Durant's Performance Since Recovery
Now in his sixth season post-injury, Durant continues to excel with outstanding statistics:
- 27.8 points per game
- 6.7 rebounds per game
- 5.1 assists per game
- Field goal shooting at 53.1%
- Three-point shooting at 41.4%
These numbers rival or surpass his first 12 seasons, demonstrating his remarkable return to top form.
Kevin Durant’s experience offers valuable lessons on resilience and adaptation following a major injury.