It is indeed a torn [Achilles tendon for Jayson Tatum.](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/05/jayson-tatum-injury-boston-celtics-bracing-for-the-worst-report.html)
After the [Celtics](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/) All-Star was helped off the court at Madison Square Garden on Monday night without putting any weight on his right foot, Tatum underwent surgery for a ruptured Achilles on Tuesday, according to the team. His season is over and next year may be in doubt.
Tatum isn’t the first high-profile basketball player to tear an Achilles, though at 27, he is one of the youngest.
All injuries are different, recovery timelines can vary, and there are various grades of Achilles tears. However, for NBA stars sidelined for extended period of time, it’s often a Grade 3 tear, which is the full rupture of the Achilles. Either the majority or all of the fibers have torn.
Here‘s what the recovery process has looked like for a few of the NBA’s biggest names that suffered these Achilles tears:
**Kevin Durant**
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**Age at injury:** 30
**Date of tear:** Jun. 10, 2019
**Return to play:** Dec. 22, 2020 (roughly 18 months)
Often seen as the gold standard in Achilles bounce backs, Durant picked up right where he left off when he returned to the court, averaging 26.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Durant’s recovery timeline appears particularly lengthy, but it was impacted by a delayed start to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Klay Thompson**
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**Age at injury:** 30
**Date of tear:** Nov. 18, 2020
**Return to play**: Jan. 8, 2022 (roughly 14 months)
Thompson’s Achilles injury is more complicated than most because it occurred in a pickup game as he was rehabbing from an ACL tear. His production was similar when he returned from both injuries in 2022, helping lift the Warriors past the Celtics for Thompson’s fourth NBA title.
**Kobe Bryant**
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**Age at injury:** 34
**Date of tear:** Apr. 12, 2013
**Return to play:** Dec. 8, 2013 (roughly 8 months)
Bryant’s body began to break down with the Achilles injury, and the 2012-13 season marked the final time the legend made an All-NBA team. Upon returning (quickly) in 2014, Bryant suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture after just six games and was sidelined for the rest of the season.
**Dominique Wilkins**
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**Age**: 32
**Date of tear:** Jan. 18, 1992
**Return to play:** Nov. 6, 1992 (roughly 10 months)
The first high-profile Achilles tear, Wilkins was sidelined for 10 months with the injury, but didn’t miss a beat upon returning. The Hall of Famer finished fifth in MVP voting in his first season back, averaging 29.9 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Though it was over three decades ago, Wilkins’ recovery is an encouraging one for Tatum.