Tatum's recovery speed after his Achilles rupture is truly astonishing!

On May 13 this year, Tatum suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture during the last moments of the Eastern Conference semifinals Game 4.

The following day, he had surgery in New York performed by famous sports medicine expert Dr. Martin O'Malley within 12 hours after the injury.

The initial reports estimated a 9-12 month rehabilitation period, meaning Tatum was likely to be sidelined for the upcoming season.

This was a reasonable expectation, considering that professional athletes typically require an average of9-12 monthsto recover from an Achilles rupture, and historically no NBA player has returned within ten and a half months.

However... Tatum might become the “exception.”

Recently, he updated his personal social media, sharing a video showing him back in training on the court, able to step back jump shots and perform sudden stop three-pointers...

Players who have suffered such a severe Achilles injury in the past probably wouldn't even be out of protective gear at this stage...

Not only ordinary fans find this unbelievable, even Durant is amazed.

He reposted the video and wrote:“Insane, keep it up JT!”

KD has been through it himself, so he knows how tough this kind of recovery really is.

Due to schedule changes at the time, Durant’s Achilles tear recovery lasted 18 months (552 days). After returning in the 2020-21 season, he averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

For Tatum, this pace of recovery means it’s possible he could be back on the court by the end of next season.

On one hand, we have to admit his body is truly extraordinary.

Martin O’Malley is a well-known American foot and ankle surgeon and sports medicine expert who has served as team doctor for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, NFL’s New York Giants, and the USA men’s basketball team. He was also Durant’s surgeon.

In an interview, he said he has never seen anyone with calves as strong as Tatum’s. By 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery, Tatum was already able to do double-leg calf raises to strengthen his legs.

I’ve mentioned before that I don’t like the title “Ironman.”

But resilience is definitely a natural gift for athletes.

Besides marveling at his physical condition, there are two other points worth mentioning.

Firstly, Tatum was injured right in New York.

He underwent surgery the next morning in New York, just 12 hours after the injury—a speed rarely seen in NBA history that reduces cell damage and scar formation risks.

Lillard had surgery 5 days after injury, Durant after 2 days, and Cousins after 4 days.

Lillard stated he might not return until the season after next, around November 2026. He was injured on April 28 this year, so his estimated recovery time is about 18 months.

Age (Tatum is 27, his cousin is already 35) and individual physical condition must be considered, but Tatum’s rapid treatment post-injury cannot be overlooked.

Celtics team doctor Anthony Scarano contacted O'Malley within 15 minutes of the injury.

Most players need to coordinate among multiple parties (team, agents, medical staff) and sometimes transfer between cities after injury.

But since he was injured in New York, the injury was suitable for surgery, and the surgeon was available...

Secondly, we must appreciate the advances in sports medicine.

It’s now 2025; Achilles ruptures are no longer a novelty, and the experience in treating them has clearly improved compared to Kobe and Durant’s injury times...

The U.S. leads the world in sports medicine treatment for Achilles injuries, which is why many athletes choose to have surgery there.

Their expertise is not only in surgical technique but also in post-operative rehabilitation concepts and technologies, widely applied in professional sports with advanced recovery methods.

The NBA is the highest-earning basketball league, and Tatum is at the pinnacle; the medical care he receives is on a different level.

Tatum needs to carefully assess his return timeline to avoid the risk of re-injuring his Achilles, something all fans understand, and the Celtics’ professional staff will surely conduct thorough scientific evaluations.

Training and actual competition demand very different physical conditions.

From the team’s practical standpoint, there’s really no rush for him during this transitional season.

After all, the Celtics have already torn the house down...