The NBA playoffs highlight talent and endurance, but this past season was dominated by Achilles tendon injury, which is frustrating. Big names like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum all suffered the same setback.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new territory for basketball fans. Remember the 2019 NBA Finals? Kevin Durant tried to push through after sitting out with a calf injury. His return was short-lived—one quarter into Game 5, he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture that kept him off the court for years.
As a sports podiatrist, there’s is a pattern where stars rush back into the game before they’re fully ready. The result? Season-ending, sometimes career-altering setbacks. Understanding why injuries keep happening, the role of recovery, and the lessons for athletes at every level is crucial. Let’s look at how and why this continues.
Why the Achilles Tendon Is Vulnerable in Basketball
Basketball is one of the most explosive sports out there. You stand still one second, then sprint, jump, or change directions the next. That sudden force travels straight down to the Achilles tendon, the thick band connecting your calf muscles to your heel.
When healthy, the tendon acts like a spring, storing and releasing energy to power every jump shot, rebound, and fast break. Nevertheless, when it’s weakened from overuse, a calf strain, or poor recovery, it becomes a ticking time bomb.
Add in the grueling NBA schedule (82 games plus the playoffs, often with little rest between matchups), and you have the perfect recipe for breakdown. It’s no wonder more players are victims.
The Domino Effect: From Calf Strains to Achilles Tears
The Achilles ruptures don’t come out of nowhere. They are frequently preceded by “smaller” injuries like calf strains.
Take Tyrese Haliburton. Before his Achilles tendon gave out, he tweaked his calf. He admitted at the time, “If I can walk, then I want to play.” The mindset athletes share is one of grit, determination, and responsibility to their team, but it leads to disaster.
Why? Because the Achilles tendon runs through the calf muscle. If the calf is strained, it alters the mechanics of how the tendon works. Inflammation and muscle weakness cause the tendon to carry a greater load. Add the explosive movements of basketball to that imbalance, and you are inviting a tear.
It’s exactly what happened to Durant back in 2019. He wasn’t just unlucky. The calf and Achilles injuries were connected, even if they were labeled separately at the time.
Rushing Recovery: The Cost of Coming Back Too Soon
If there’s one theme here, it’s this: rushing back doesn’t pay off. Athletes may rest for a short period, get cleared, and then return with little more than a practice or two.
The problem? Resting isn’t the same as rehabbing. Muscles lose conditioning when they’re not used. Even when the pain is gone, the body isn’t at game speed. When athletes throw themselves back into playoff intensity, their tendons can’t keep up.
That’s why these injuries spike during high-stakes games. The players are desperate to contribute, the coaches want their stars back, and the fans are eager to see them on the court. The tendons don’t care about playoff dreams—they care about load, strength, and recovery.
Lesson: Don’t Be a Hero at the Expense of Your Health
You don’t need to be an NBA superstar to learn from this trend. Whether you’re playing in a weekend league, running 5Ks, or training at the gym, the same rules apply:
Listen to your body. Pain, swelling, and tightness are early warnings. Ignoring them doesn’t make you tough; it makes you vulnerable.
Don’t rush rehab. Because you are walking without pain, it doesn’t mean your body is ready for explosive moves.
Strengthen and stretch. Focus on calf raises, flexibility, and supportive footwear to reduce strain on your Achilles.
Prioritize recovery. Ice, rest, and physical therapy are as important as training.
When in doubt, seek guidance. Our Houston podiatrist will evaluate your foot and ankle mechanics, identify any weaknesses, and develop a personalized plan.
How a Houston Sports Podiatrist Can Help
At DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center, we have seen firsthand how devastating an Achilles tendon injury can be and we have also seen better outcomes when patients get proper care from the start.
A sports podiatrist identifies, through assessment, why it happened. Was it overuse? Muscle imbalance? Foot mechanics like flat feet? These answers shape the recovery plan, which might include custom orthotics, physical therapy, or gradual return-to-play strategies.
The goal is to heal the tendon and ensure you don’t end up back in the painful cycle again.
Finally: Put Your Health Above the Game
It’s hard not to pity athletes like Durant, Haliburton, Lillard, and Tatum. They wanted to help their teams, but in the process, they faced injuries that would change their careers. For the rest of us, their stories serve as a reminder: there’s no shortcut when it comes to healing.
So, if you’re sidelined by a calf strain, Achilles tendon injury, or any other setback, take the time to fully recover. Your future mobility and performance depend on it.
Remember, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Houston podiatrist at DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center will guide you through diagnosis, treatment, and safe return to play. Get back in the game—stronger, safer, and on your terms.
