ACL

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee joint and when there is a tear, it often requires surgery and with rehabilitation, it will take several months to more than a year to heal. 

Jayson Tatum, after 10 months, returned to action last Saturday.  His contribution of 15 points and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes helped the current number 2 seed Boston in the EC beat Dallas, sitting at 12th in the WC.  He did 20 against their win over Phoenix 2 nights later.  Boston’s best player is so back but will most likely be on a minutes restriction for the rest of the season. 

The Celtics had won 14 of their last 17 games, including the 2 straight since JT’s return.   Even  in limited minutes, he will be a huge boost to the Celtics’ deep playoff run.

Age is a big factor in the healing process and Tatum, at 28, is on the right track to a complete recovery.   Here are some stars who came back after an ACL injury, and a few could not get back their old form.

Dominique Wilkins (ATL) – known as ‘The Human Highlight Film’, Wilkins was 32 when he tore his ACL in January 1992 and was out for 9 months.  When he returned, he scored 30 points.  He averaged 29.9 points that season and played 4 more seasons in the NBA plus a year each in Greece and Italy.

Kobe Bryant (LAL) – he was 34 when had the injury in 2013 and was out for 8 months.  In his return to the hardcourt, he had 9 points.  Six games after his return, he fractured his knee and was not the same player in his final two seasons.

DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) – when he tore his ACL, DMC was 27 y.o. and was out for a year.   He played 30 games in his return then again had an ACL tear in the summer during a pickup game.  DMC played 2 more mostly unproductive seasons.

Kevin Durant (GSW) – in June 2019, KD, 30 y.o. at that time, tore his ACL and entirely missed the following season.  The Covid-19 pandemic delayed his comeback.  Just in case you haven’t noticed, KD is still one of the league’s elite players.  

Klay Thompson (GSW) – after recovering from a previous ACL tear, Klay had the same injury on November 2020.  Out for 14 months, he returned with most of his shooting and scoring fine, but he lost his defensive stops.  Klay was 29 when he reinjured his knee.

Athletes in general, with constant running and jumping, accumulate years of mileage on their legs.  Knees wear out and recovery could go both ways – good or bad.