The 2025 NBA playoffs were marked by significant injuries, notably Achilles tendon tears suffered by Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton, all ending their seasons prematurely. Haliburton’s injury has already sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025-26 season, while Lillard and Tatum face difficult recoveries that may cause them to miss up to a year of play. Kevin Durant, who experienced a similar injury during the 2019 playoffs and missed a full season, is positioned to provide critical guidance during their rehabilitation journeys.

Durant’s Role as a Mentor During Recovery

Durant has become a vital mentor to both Lillard and Tatum, with both stars reaching out to the former MVP in the early stages of their recovery. In discussing their mindset, Durant emphasized their resilience and rare qualities as athletes. He noted that while being sidelined for a full year is an unusual experience for both players, their determination will help them persevere through this forced pause in their careers.

Those guys are cut from a cloth that they’re rare individuals,

Durant said on the Mind the Game podcast.

This is just a little stoppage in their journey that they’re just going to have to sit down and lock in on. I think it’ll be easy for them to lock in once they truly grasp that ‘I’m gonna be out for a year.’ Initially that takes a few weeks for you to truly understand. This is probably the first time in their whole lives they gotta sit down and not play. They physically can’t play. That’s probably the first time they’ve had to go through that.

Challenges Ahead for Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard, who will turn 35 soon, faces an uphill battle as he enters the later stages of his career. His injury raises questions about whether he can return to the high level of performance that made him one of the NBA’s most formidable shooters and dynamic point guards during his years with Portland and Milwaukee. Durant expressed confidence in Lillard’s ability to rise above the setback, acknowledging the mental and physical grind involved in recovery.

You can elevate or drown, in my opinion,

Durant explained.

I think both of those dudes have shown you time and time again that they’re going to continue to elevate as individuals and as players. But it’s a grind, man.

Jayson Tatum’s Prospects Post-Injury

At 27, Jayson Tatum still has many potential years of elite basketball ahead if he can regain his pre-injury form. Before the Achilles tear, Tatum was among the league’s top scorers and regularly earned MVP consideration. However, Achilles injuries often pose some of the toughest challenges for players, sometimes hindering their ability to reach previous performance levels. Durant highlighted the physical adjustments necessary for Tatum, especially regarding muscle strength and shot selection.

Your game and your body is going to for sure change,

Durant said.

Most of the work is getting that calf back. You gotta get it bigger and stronger. I think that’s going to be the adjustment for them. Those deep 3s that both of those guys shoot, they shoot a lot of tough, stepback 3s. And I was shooting those before I got injured, and I fine-tuned my game to take some of that stuff out.

The Broader Impact and What Lies Ahead

Kevin Durant’s insight reflects both the physical and psychological demands of recovering from an Achilles tendon tear. His experience underlines the importance of patience, mental focus, and strategic adaptation to prolong careers at the highest level of basketball. Lillard and Tatum’s recovery journeys will be closely watched, as their return to form could inspire hope for other players facing similar injuries. Durant’s role as a mentor serves as a reminder of the value of shared experience in overcoming daunting challenges in professional sports.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Has Kevin Durant ever scored 50?

A. On April 2, 2022, Kevin Durant scored over 50 points in a game against the Hawks.