How many geniuses did the Achilles tendon tear ruin? 14 stars, Kobe fell & Adu reborn

Tatum has confirmed that the Achilles tendon has been torn and then has surgery as soon as possible in order to recover as soon as possible.

In the NBA, a ruptured Achilles tendon is regarded as a "professional killer" for athletes. From Dominic Wilkins' rebirth against the will, to the tragic end of Kobe Bryant, to the unknown fate of Dezante Murray, this injury has rewrite the careers of many stars.

Today, through data and cases, we uncover the glory and cruelty behind the rupture of the Achilles tendon.

In 1992, Wilkins, the 32-year-old "Essence of Human Movie", suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and the medical community generally believed that he would bid farewell to the peak. However, after only 10 months of comeback, he scored 30 points in his first game after returning, and then he averaged 29.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, even more efficient than before the injury.

But others are not so lucky.

Kobe: A microcosm of the hero's twilight

Before the Achilles tendon ruptured in 2013, Kobe averaged 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, leading the Lakers to the playoffs; after his comeback, his explosive power plummeted, with his average score dropping to 22.3 points, and his efficiency value plummeted from 23.0 to 17.6.

Although the retirement battle scored 60 points in 2016, it was only the "last burn", and it was abnormal.

Cousins: The gap between maximum salary and basic salary

Before the Achilles tendon ruptured in 2018, Cousins ​​was the top center in the league, averaging 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game; after injury, he went to the Warriors and Rockets, and his data shrank to 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, and finally faded out of the league with a basic salary contract.

Jennings: A sketch of the fall of the meteor, 25-year-old injured Jennings was once a talented point guard with 55 points in a single game. After the Achilles tendon ruptured, his average score plummeted from 15.5 points to 7.1 points, and he ended up having to go to overseas leagues. He was only 29 years old when he quit the NBA.

Durant and Murray also suffered major Achilles tendon injuries.

Durant: Survivor of the technical flow

After the 2019 Finals, Durant had a 18-month quit, and he averaged 26.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game after his comeback, and his true shooting percentage was 66.6% (top in history). His success is due to:

projection-led play: reduce breakthrough dependence and increase medium- and long-distance jump shots;

Medical advancement: use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to accelerate repair.

Murray: The Pelicans' big bet and dilemma

In 2025, the 28-year-old Murray had a ruptured Achilles tendon. He was just exchanged for a heavy trade of 2 first round + 4 players by the Pelicans. He averaged 17.5 points and 7.4 assists before his injury, and it may be difficult for him to regain his athletic ability after his return, especially considering that he has suffered three major injuries in his career (torn cruciate ligament and fractured left hand). The Pelicans' 114 million contract may become a "poison", and the team's reconstruction is a foregone conclusion.

The other players, such as Wall, Guy, Matthews, Billups, etc., also experienced Achilles tendon problems, but after recovering from injury, they failed to return to their peak period. Among them, they were because of their age, and most of them were in their play years and left the NBA early after returning.

The rupture of the Achilles tendon is like a mirror, illuminating the cruelty of professional sports and the brilliance of human nature. I hope this serious injury will not have a big impact on the 28-year-old Tatum. I wish him a quick recovery.