Kevin Durant Praises Jayson Tatum's Rehabilitation Progress
Kevin Durant expressed admiration for Jayson Tatum's rapid recovery from an Achilles tendon injury. After the Houston Rockets' decisive 128-101 victory over the Boston Celtics, Durant embraced Tatum and shared his thoughts on the young star's rehab journey.
Durant’s Performance and Comparison
The 37-year-old forward led the Rockets with a game-high 26 points, showcasing his prime form six years after his own Achilles rupture in the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant noted that Tatum’s rehab progress at six months post-injury surpassed his own experience.
“I wouldn’t say I felt that confident to dunk the ball,” Durant recalled about his own six-month recovery. “I don’t remember if I was that far along in my journey, but medicine has advanced so much since I had Achilles. Jayson looks like he’s just killing the rehab and he looks great. You don’t see a limp. For somebody who just had Achilles surgery in the playoffs, he looks amazing.”
Looking Ahead to Tatum’s Return
Durant expressed hope for Tatum’s continued progress and anticipated his return to the court soon.
“Hopefully, continue to progress and he gets better and get back on the court soon. The game misses him, the NBA misses him, just, you know, all world talent, man, so looking forward to have him back on the floor.”
Tatum has publicly targeted a possible return during the current season, aiming to come back within 11 months of his injury sustained in May.
Author's summary: Kevin Durant praises Jayson Tatum’s impressive Achilles rehab progress and anticipates his return, highlighting advances in recovery medicine and Tatum's strong determination.