Durant makes shocking sliding doors claim about 2019 achilles tear
The NBA legend claimed he was not warned about the dangers of playing during the 2019 Finals.
Kevin Durant, one of the most talented names of his generation, recently opened up on a sensational sliding doors moment that reshaped his entire career.
The Houston Rockets forward revisited his devastating Achilles tendon rupture during the 2019 NBA Finals, saying he was never informed that playing on a calf strain could elevate the risk of such a catastrophic injury.
“If they told me, I probably wouldn’t have went out there”
The now 37-year-old’s comments came during an interview in which he openly discussed his decision to return to action during Game 5 of the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors while still dealing with a right calf strain. He suggested that, if he had been warned the issue might lead to an Achilles tear, he would have reconsidered his choice to play. “If I knew that information I would’ve made a different decision,” he said. “If they told me, ‘Ah, you can tear your Achilles, I probably wouldn’t have went out there.”
The Achilles rupture not only ended his Finals appearance but also sidelined him for the entirety of the following season.
The injury occurred after Durant missed nine games earlier in the playoffs due to the calf strain suffered against the Houston Rockets. When he returned, he managed to score early before suffering the tendon rupture just minutes into the contest. The Warriors ultimately lost that 2019 Finals series in six games, marking a dramatic end to what had been a dominant run for the Golden State dynasty.
The 2019 injury is often referenced in the context of more recent NBA injuries. In the 2025 postseason, stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum suffered Achilles tears following calf issues, reigniting debate over how such injuries are managed and prevented.
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Teams across the league have responded by re-evaluating recovery timelines and emphasising cautious rehabilitation protocols to limit long-term damage.
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