Overview

• The league recorded seven Achilles ruptures this season compared with none in the previous campaign under the same schedule.
• All-Star guards Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard suffered tendon tears in the playoffs and are likely to miss most of next season.
• Silver highlighted that the majority of injuries occurred before the All-Star break, casting doubt on total game volume as the primary trigger.
• Experts will assess variables from youth sport specialization and training intensity to footwear choices and antibiotic-related tendon weakening.
• Advances in medical technology and rehabilitation have enabled some athletes to return from Achilles tears in as few as nine months, down from a typical yearlong recovery.