Achilles tendon injuries have become all-too-familiar headlines in professional sports, and this NBA season saw more than its usual share. During the NBA playoffs alone, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard tore his left Achilles in the first round against the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the second round against the New York Knicks, and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Two other players, centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, tore their Achilles earlier in the season, as did New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray and Miami Heat guard Dru Smith.