The Boston Celtics’ championship aspirations suffered a significant blow when Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. The injury not only sidelines Jayson Tatum for the remainder of the playoffs but also casts doubt on his availability for the entire 2025–26 season.
While Tatum remains optimistic, stating that the injury will not define him and expressing gratitude for the support he’s received, the road to recovery will have challenges. Historically, Achilles injuries have been career-altering for NBA players.
While some, like Kevin Durant, have managed to return to elite form, others have struggled to regain their previous levels of performance. We unfortunately have five examples of NBA superstars who were never the same after an Achilles injury, and we hope that Tatum will return like Durant did rather than these legendary figures.
Disclaimer: Legendary Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas has to be a mention here, but he was already out of his prime by the time the Achilles injury ended his career, and we feel there are more extreme examples to go through.
1. Kobe Bryant
On April 12, 2013, during a critical stretch for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the injury, Bryant famously sank two free throws before leaving the court. At the time, he was averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his superstar prowess at age 34.
Bryant’s recovery was tiring. He returned to play in December 2013 but managed only six games before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Over the next two seasons, he played in just 41 games, with noticeable declines in efficiency and athleticism. Bryant retired in 2016, concluding a storied career that, while illustrious, was certainly impacted by the Achilles injury.
2. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing, the stalwart center for the New York Knicks, suffered a partial Achilles tear during the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. At 36, Ewing was already battling the effects of a long career, but the injury marked a significant downturn because the big man was still a major force in the paint.
Prior to the injury, he averaged 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in the lockout-shortened season. Post-injury, Ewing’s performance and impact massively declined. He played three more seasons with the Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Orlando Magic, averaging under 10 points per game in the last two seasons.
He also averaged only 26.7 minutes and 13.9 minutes per game over the last two seasons. No doubt, the Achilles injury effectively ended his tenure as a dominant force in the NBA.
3. Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson, a key figure in the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, faced a challenging period with consecutive major injuries. After tearing his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson suffered a torn Achilles in November 2020 during a workout, sidelining him for the entire 2020–21 season, and that effectively made him a different player.
Thompson made his return in January 2022, contributing significantly to the Warriors’ championship run that season, albeit in a reduced role. He averaged 20.4 points per game in the regular season and 19.0 in the playoffs, but he wasn’t the same player who was a bona fide star.
While his shooting still remains elite, there were noticeable changes in his defensive agility and off-ball movement, reflecting the impact of his injuries. Klay is now with the Dallas Mavericks and only posted 14.0 PPG on 41.2% shooting from the field, and is far off from the player who once made five All-Star and two All-NBA Teams.
4. Elton Brand
Elton Brand, a two-time All-Star, was known for his consistent scoring and rebounding and was easily an All-NBA candidate in his prime. In August 2007, at age 28, he ruptured his left Achilles tendon during an offseason workout. Before the injury, Brand was averaging 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and posted 24.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game the season prior.
After returning, Brand struggled to regain his previous form. His scoring and rebounding numbers declined as he never posted at least 20 PPG again, and he never made another All-Star appearance. While he remained a valuable role player, the Achilles injury marked the end of his tenure as a dominant frontcourt presence.
5. DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins was at the peak of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans when he tore his Achilles tendon in January 2018. At the time, he was averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, forming a formidable duo with Anthony Davis.
Post-injury, Cousins faced a series of setbacks. He signed short-term contracts with the Golden State Warriors and later the Los Angeles Lakers, but injuries continued to hamper his performance. While he showed flashes of his former self, the Achilles injury significantly altered his career trajectory, preventing him from reclaiming his All-Star status.
