During the 2025 NBA playoff rounds, three major athletes faced Achilles tendon injuries, on top of additional injuries occurring earlier in the season, according to a June 25 report from ESPN.
Achilles tears are becoming more prevalent in the world of professional sports, especially among younger athletes and female athletes.
Medical experts attribute the rise in injuries to overuse, accidental circumstances and a prioritization of upper-leg strength training, leading to less strength in the lower leg.
“At this point, we need to start thinking about the calf and Achilles in the same way,” said Karin Silbernagel, PhD, a physical therapist and professor at the University of Delaware, to ESPN. “Do we have enough strength … to be able to tolerate the sport that we’re doing? The lower leg is lagging behind some of the other things that we do.”
Here are seven major Achilles injuries that occurred during the 2024 to 2025 NBA season:
1. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles in the final match of the NBA Finals on June 23. Mr. Haliburton immediately underwent surgery for the injury at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. O’Malley, MD.
2. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a second-round playoff game against the New York Knicks on May 12. He then underwent surgery to repair the injury at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery. The surgery was performed by Hospital foot and ankle specialist Martin O’Malley, MD.
3. Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard tore his left Achilles in an April 27 first- round playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.
4. New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray also faced a Jan. 31 Achilles injury early on in the NBA season.
5. Earlier in the season, Miami Heat guard Dru Smith tore his left Achilles tendon. Mr. Smith suffered the injury in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 23 and missed the remainder of the season. He underwent surgery at Doctors Hospital Surgery Center in Miami, performed by Heat team physician Harlan Selesnick, MD, and assisted by Heat team physician Frantz Lerebours, MD.
6. Pacers center Isaiah Jackson faced a torn Achilles Nov. 1 during the team’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
7. In October, Indiana Pacers center James Wiseman tore his left Achilles tendon. He underwent surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, performed by Dr. O’Malley. Mr. Wiseman has faced two major leg injuries in his five seasons in the NBA.
