JAYSON TATUM IS BACK — returned to the court after 10 months, completing one of the fastest Achilles comebacks in NBA history
"DON'T FEEL THE PRESSURE. BE THE PRESSURE."
7 NBA Achilles tears · 2024–25 season

THE
ACHILLES
GROUP CHAT

Jayson Tatum is back — 20+ games played, averaging 20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists since returning from Achilles surgery in just 10 months. This is the free, deep-dive resource built on what the pros actually do to come back.

7
NBA tears 2024–25
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The Roster

Tap into their
journey

Five players, five real stories. Click any card for their full timeline, trainer protocols, and links to actual footage.

The Science

Latest research

Peer-reviewed studies shaping how Achilles injuries are treated and rehabbed — the same science the pros rely on.

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy · 2024
Rehabilitation and Return to Sports after Achilles Tendon Repair
Key findings: Co-authored by Dr. Martin O'Malley (the surgeon for Tatum, Haliburton, and KD) and the HSS Sports Medicine team. The study emphasizes that early mobilization and progressive loading protocols lead to better outcomes than prolonged immobilization. Blood flow restriction training (BFR) is highlighted as a key tool for maintaining muscle strength while protecting the healing tendon. The authors recommend individualized return-to-sport criteria rather than fixed timelines — supporting what we've seen with Tatum's ~10 month return vs. KD's 18 months.
Achilles Repair Return to Sport BFR Training HSS
Read Full Study ↗
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation · 2022
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: Physiology, Application, and Guidelines for Return to Sport
Key findings: BFR training — used by multiple NBA teams during Achilles recovery — allows athletes to build muscle strength using much lighter loads (20-30% of max vs. the typical 70%+), dramatically reducing stress on healing tendons. The study found BFR also attenuates pain, prevents muscle atrophy during immobilization, and may improve cardiovascular fitness even during low-intensity exercise. For Achilles recovery specifically, BFR enables strength training weeks earlier than traditional protocols would allow.
Blood Flow Restriction Muscle Atrophy Prevention Rehabilitation
Read Full Study ↗
The Inner Circle

Straight from the pros
they call first

The trainers, surgeons, and rehab specialists behind the biggest Achilles comebacks in NBA history — sharing their protocols directly.

Nick Sang
Nick Sang
Celtics PT · Jayson Tatum's Trainer
With Tatum 6 days a week throughout his entire Achilles recovery. The man behind the eccentric calf raise progressions, the pool sessions, and every milestone in The Quiet Work docuseries.
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Exclusive Video — Coming Soon
Dr. Constantine Demetracopoulos
Constantine A. Demetracopoulos, MD
Foot & Ankle Surgeon · Hospital for Special Surgery
One of the top foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons in the country at HSS — the hospital where Tatum, Haliburton, and KD all had their Achilles surgeries performed.
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Exclusive Video — Coming Soon
🏀
TBD — Pacers Performance Staff
Indiana Pacers · Tyrese Haliburton's Rehab Team
The training and medical staff guiding Haliburton through his recovery from the Game 7 Finals Achilles tear. Outreach in progress — stay tuned.
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Exclusive Video — Coming Soon
Your Recovery Roadmap

Where are you vs.
where they were?

Select your week to see what JT, Haliburton, and KD were doing at the same stage — plus your personalized game plan. Scroll right →

Week 0–2
Acute Phase
What the pros were doing
JT
Tatum: Surgery within 24 hours at HSS. "Yesterday I was Superman — now I need help with everything."
TH
Haliburton: Surgery next day at HSS by Dr. O'Malley. "I've worked my whole life for this moment and this is how it ends?"
  • Surgery + cast immobilization
  • Non-weight bearing — scooter/wheelchair
  • Ice & elevation protocol
  • Upper body training OK
  • Mental health support begins
  • Start anti-inflammatory nutrition
📋 Your Week 0–2 Game Plan →
Week 2–8
Boot Phase
What the pros were doing
JT
Tatum: Day 15 — bandages off, stitches visible. Nick Sang: "It's tough to see someone you care about at an all-time low."
KD
Durant: 90-min morning treatment, gym session, 90-min afternoon treatment, pool work. Every single day.
  • Transition to walking boot
  • Partial weight-bearing begins
  • Gentle range-of-motion work
  • Pool walking starts
  • Collagen + Vitamin C protocol
  • Sleep optimization (9+ hours)
📋 Your Week 2–8 Game Plan →
Week 8–16
Rebuild Phase
What the pros were doing
JT
Tatum: Day 43 — Dr. O'Malley: "You're as good as anyone has ever been." JT: "I'm not coming back to be a role player, doc."
TH
Haliburton: Started stationary shooting. Jumping on his shot. "Not a ton of movement yet, but it feels like me again."
  • Boot off — regular shoe on
  • Eccentric calf raises (Nick Sang's #1)
  • Blood flow restriction training
  • Stationary cycling
  • Protein 0.8–1g/lb bodyweight
  • WHOOP/Oura recovery tracking
📋 Your Week 8–16 Game Plan →
Week 16–28
Load Phase
What the pros were doing
TH
Haliburton: DUNKING at week 17. Posted "Week 22" video that went viral. Running drills, jumping, looking like himself.
JT
Tatum: "Back On Court" video at 4 months — shooting, running, dunking. Internet lost its mind.
  • Jogging → straight-line running
  • Plyometric introduction
  • Court drills and shooting
  • HRV-guided training loads
  • Sports psychology intensive
  • Group chat milestone sharing
📋 Your Week 16–28 Game Plan →
Week 28+
Return Phase
What the pros were doing
JT
Tatum: Full 5-on-5 scrimmages. G League practice. Listed on Celtics injury report. Season debut ~10 months post-surgery.
KD
Durant: Took 18 months — "700 days until I felt like me." Averaged 26.9 ppg in his return season. The blueprint.
  • Full cutting & jumping
  • 5-on-5 live basketball
  • Power restoration work
  • Fear of re-injury protocol
  • Maintenance routines
  • Mental clearance testing
📋 Your Week 28+ Game Plan →

GET YOUR PERSONALIZED RECOVERY PLAN

Tell us what week you're in. We'll send you a weekly game plan with exercises, nutrition tips, what the pros were doing at your exact stage, videos to watch, and motivation to keep going.

Weekly exercise plan
Pro comparison updates
Nutrition & sleep tips
Videos & motivation
✓ You're in! Check your inbox for your Week 1 game plan. Welcome to the group chat.
Video Library

Watch & learn

Real footage and docs from the players and trainers living it right now — plus expert breakdowns.

Master List

Tools & resources

Every product and protocol used by pro athletes — vetted and broken down for real people.

Don't Get Hurt

Preventive workouts

Lower body and core exercises that strengthen the muscles protecting your Achilles — straight from pro athletes and sports medicine experts.

Live Updates

Achilles news

The latest on every major Achilles recovery — who's coming back, how they did it, and what it means for you.

Community

Submit your
story

The group chat isn't just for pros. Every athlete's recovery is data. Share your journey and help the next person going through it.

"Checking in on each other is important. Everybody is in different phases — some ahead, some behind. It's almost like Facebook where moms share pictures of their kids doing something for the first time."
Tyrese Haliburton
Week 17 of recovery — already dunking again
"It was like 700 days until I really felt like me again on the court. Every moment matters, every second matters when you're trying to recover from that injury."
Kevin Durant
On his return from the 2019 NBA Finals tear

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You're not
rehabbing alone.

Weekly recovery updates, trainer Q&As, milestone check-ins, and a real community of athletes who understand.

Recovery Timeline
Trainer Protocols
Real Videos & Links