Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s brightest stars, experienced a moment during the 2019 NBA finals that could have ended his illustrious career. While competing for the Golden State Warriors against the Toronto Raptors in Game 5, Durant suffered an Achilles tear—a devastating injury for any athlete, particularly for a basketball player of his caliber.
Reflecting on that fateful moment, Durant shared his immediate thoughts during a recent conversation with business partner Rich Kleiman.
Durant vividly recalled the silence that followed the pop of his Achilles, a sound that echoed not just through the arena but through his very essence.
“It’s 20,000 people in there and I heard a pop,” Durant recounted. “So I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and my whole basketball career flashed before my eyes. Everything, everything I did, everything that I thought about. All my favorite moments, all my bad moments, it flashed, and that’s why, if you watch, I’m just sitting there gazing into the crowd before somebody came over to help me up because I’m just like, ‘This s— is over with.'”
This injury marked a turning point in Durant’s career. The Warriors ultimately lost the series in six games, and Durant faced the arduous journey of recovery ahead. In the weeks following the injury, he made a significant career move by signing with the Brooklyn Nets, though he would miss the entire 2019-20 season to focus on his rehabilitation.
Durant’s return to the court on December 22, 2020, 561 days after his injury, was nothing short of remarkable. Since then, he has not only returned to his pre-injury form but has also been named to all four All-Star Games. This achievement shows not just his physical recovery but also his mental fortitude in overcoming what many would consider a career-ending injury.
Now, with Durant playing for the Suns, he looks to lead his team back to the NBA Finals, aiming for a triumphant return to the stage where his career nearly ended. As the Suns entered the All-Star break with a 33–22 record, standing fifth in the Western Conference, Durant’s sights are set on not just competing but excelling at the highest level of the game.
