Kevin Durant Says Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard Contacted Him After Achilles Injuries
Houston Rockets superstar forward Kevin Durant divulged Tuesday that a pair of NBA stars who recently suffered torn Achilles tendons have reached out to him for advice.
During an appearance on the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, KD said Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard recently contacted him, adding, "I feel like I'm the Achilles guy."
Both Tatum and Lillard suffered Achilles injuries during the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, which could cost them most or all of the 2025-26 season.
Durant has been there before, as he tore his Achilles during the 2019 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors and missed the following season.
In basketball or any other sport, an Achilles injury can be a career-changing moment that prevents an athlete from ever returning to their past greatness.
Durant has changed the narrative, though, as he has been named an All-Star in each of the five seasons he has played since tearing his Achilles.
Even at the age of 36 with an Achilles tear in his past, KD is still among the most dynamic offensive players in the NBA. He averaged 26.6 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 43.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc with the Phoenix Suns last season.
While Durant hasn't quite gotten back to the level he displayed during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder when he won four scoring titles and an NBA MVP award, his recent stats are right in line with what he did in Golden State.
KD seemed unsure of why he has become the poster boy for Achilles recovery in the NBA, but Nash told him he's "the one who's done it" in terms of returning to form.
Durant gave credit to others, though, saying that he feels "a lot of guys" have bounced back from Achilles injuries, including players he was inspired by while working his way back.
At 27, Tatum is quite a bit younger than Durant was when he tore his Achilles, which bodes well for the six-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion's chances of fully recovering even if he has to miss all of next season.
The same goes for 25-year-old Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and has already been ruled out for next season.
Things are a bit less certain for Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15 and is perhaps nearing the end of his career.
Lillard, who is a nine-time All-Star and one of the best scorers of his generation, was still playing at a high level last season before his injury, as he averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game.
With Lillard's status for next season and beyond in doubt, the Bucks waived him last week, which opened up money for them to sign former Pacers center Myles Turner in free agency.
Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets while he was recovering from an Achilles injury, and he went on to become a key player with them. Lillard will look to follow in KD's footsteps by making an impact with whatever team he joins as well.
