Kevin Durant Had Five Words After Unexpected Jayson Tatum Development

Four months later, however, a video surfaced showing Tatum back on the court in light workouts. The footage spread quickly across social media, sparking widespread excitement.

Among those who reacted was Kevin Durant, who responded with a short but powerful message:

“Insane. Let’s get it JT.”

His comment comes with significance, especially given Durant’s own history with the same injury. Durant tore his Achilles during the 2019 NBA Finals and was sidelined for the entire 2019–20 season.

Many wondered if he would ever regain his elite form, but he returned to deliver some of the best basketball of his career, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most resilient stars. Since the injury, Durant has averaged 27.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 274 games.

The Celtics know just how much they rely on Tatum. He was instrumental in their 2024 championship run, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, while earning both All-Star and All-NBA honors. Without him, Boston faces major challenges in maintaining its dominance, as his scoring, playmaking, and leadership are difficult to replace.

However, Tatum’s progress offers hope, but recovery from an Achilles tear remains one of the toughest journeys in professional sports. The Celtics will hope that Tatum can overcome this setback and eventually return to the level that made him one of the NBA’s brightest stars.