3 Achilles Ruptures in The NBA Playoffs - What’s Really Going On?

Three NBA All-Stars — Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard — all suffered an Achilles rupture during the 2025 Playoffs. And as a result there have been a lot of online experts and “injury prevention gurus” with their hot takes:

“They wouldn’t have gotten injured if they were training with me.”

“They needed better shoes.”

“Should’ve hydrated more.”

“Bad mechanics. Poor movement quality. - which my program would’ve fixed”

Let’s call it for what it is: B.S.

The part most people miss is this — every single one of them had a calf injury earlier in the season or playoffs. And they came back fast.

Too fast.

The Real Issue: Incomplete Recovery

Here’s what often happens:

  • You get injured.

  • Tissue capacity goes down.

  • The way you move changes (compensation).

  • Your strength, power, and mechanics take a hit.

Even if the pain is gone and you feel ready, your body might not actually be ready to perform at the highest level.

That’s why jumping back in too soon, especially at the elite level, drastically increases your risk of a more serious injury — like a full Achilles rupture.

Could These Injuries Have Been Prevented?

Yes — with more time and a more complete return-to-play process to respect the healing and adaptation process.

But when a championship is on the line?

The question becomes: Is the risk worth the reward?

In high-performance sport, athletes and teams are constantly walking that line.

Why This Matters for You

You don’t need to be an NBA player for this to apply. Whether you’re chasing a championship or just trying to get back to the gym or sport you love — rehab and recovery matter.

Don’t rush it.
Don’t skip steps.
Give your body time to rebuild strength, mechanics, and capacity — not just feel pain-free.

The Problem With Traditional Rehab

Most traditional rehab stops at “pain-free” — and that’s the problem. Just because you’re no longer in pain doesn’t mean your body is ready to return to high-level activity. Strength, power, mobility, and movement quality often get overlooked, leaving a huge gap between basic recovery and actual performance. That’s where people break down again.

At Pinnacle Rehab & Performance, we do things differently. Operating out of a gym, we’re built to take you beyond just being pain-free. Our approach blends rehab with performance — meaning we not only get you moving well again, but we also help you rebuild strength, restore power, and return to doing what you love at a high level. Whether you're an athlete or just want to feel and perform your best, this is where rehab meets real results. Ready to bridge the gap between recovery and performance? [Book your assessment today.]

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