Kevin Durant Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insight on Jayson Tatum Recovery
Kevin Durant revealed to CLNS Media that Joe Mazzulla and Jayson Tatum's mother reached out for advice after Tatum suffered an Achilles injury. After a game at TD Garden where he scored 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting, Durant reflected on how his own 2019 Achilles rupture changed his game as he just turned 37.
Durant described the adjustments he made:
“It was small, subtle changes, subtle tweaks. But I felt like my bread-and-butter was my short to mid-range. I felt like I can still shoot the threes, the side-steps, the step-backs, that was cool, but I just felt like I had to be way more efficient and get closer to the rim.”
Overcoming the injury, Durant became a go-to figure for players facing similar challenges, known as "the Achilles guy." He returned after 15 months, averaging 26.9 points per game and making the All-Star team in his first 35 games back.
In his sixth season post-injury, Durant posted impressive stats:
- 27.8 points per game
- 6.7 rebounds per game
- 5.1 assists per game
- 53.1% shooting from the field
- 41.4% shooting from three-point range
These numbers equal or even surpass his performance in the previous 12 seasons.
Author's summary: Kevin Durant candidly discusses his rehabilitation from a 2019 Achilles rupture, sharing how his subtle game adjustments led to a remarkable comeback and providing support to others like Jayson Tatum.