Professional sports, specifically the NBA, have seen devastating injuries through the years. As modern athletes evolve, different types of injuries occur. Over the past two seasons, the NBA has seen a particular injury becoming more prevalent, the achilles. Labeling the rising number of achilles injuries as an epidemic may not be the correct label, but it’s not far off.
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The NBA has seen a disturbing rise in Achilles injuries, especially during the 2025 season.
The playoffs alone featured multiple high-profile cases:
Damian Lillard suffered a left achilles injury in the first round
Jayson Tatum ruptured his right achilles in the second round
Tyrese Haliburton tore his right achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
And it didn’t stop there. During the regular season:
Most recently, Donte DiVincenzo ruptured his right achilles tendon on Saturday night, adding to a growing and concerning list.
One of the primary causes being discussed is overuse. An NBA season is relentless. Between regular season games, travel, and playoff intensity, the physical toll on players continues to rise. Athletes today are stronger and faster than ever—but that also means greater stress on their bodies.
While upper-leg development has become elite, the lower legs are often undertrained. The lower glutes, hamstrings, calves, and Achilles all work together as part of a kinetic chain, often associated with the sartorius muscle, the longest in the human body.
If that chain isn’t properly developed, the body compensates. And when it does, the Achilles tendon often takes the hit.
All of that places continuous tension on the Achilles tendon. Without proper strength and stability in the lower legs, that tension becomes dangerous. Over time, the tendon simply cannot withstand the load—and that’s when injuries occur.
The NBA and its teams may need to rethink how players train and recover. The key areas of focus should include:
Careful evaluation of footwear (heel, arch, ankle support)
Just as important: communication. Players must be encouraged to speak up about discomfort or pain, especially in the lower half of the body. Ignoring early warning signs can lead to devastating outcomes.
Achilles injuries are among the most serious in sports, often altering or even ending careers. The recent surge across the NBA isn’t just bad luck. It’s a warning sign. If the league doesn’t adapt, this trend could continue or worsen.
Understanding the root causes, improving training methods, and prioritizing prevention will be critical moving forward. Because right now, the achilles isn’t just a weak point. It’s becoming the NBA’s biggest problem.
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