If Dejounte Murray and Jayson Tatum are any indication, an Achilles injury is no longer as career-threatening as it once was. Both Murray and Tatum are looking great upon their returns after long absences caused by rupturing their Achilles tendons; East, in particular, has shined for the New Orleans Pelicans and at least given them hope that they can bounce back next year amid a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Murray is coming off a 35-point night in a close loss to the Houston Rockets, and he was efficient too, making 14 of his 18 field-goal attempts on the night. Tatum's shooting isn't far behind, but he shot 20-14-7 in his latest outing.
While all fans are seeing is the result of their hard work, Murray had to emphasize that his and his partner Achilles' path to survival is not as easy as it makes it out to be. During the rehab process, it appears that the bond he has formed with Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who is also rehabbing, has made it at least a little easier — as seen this exchange Under one of Murray's posts on Instagram.
Achilles It's great to see people supporting each other man pic.twitter.com/ndIZGPUMDi
- JB (@lockedupjb) 15 March 2026
Dejounte Murray, Jayson Tatum are signs of hope for Tyrese Haliburton
Murray was out for over a year recovering from injury and all that time spent on the sidelines must have been very tough for a man who likes the game early. Tatum is an anomaly, as he returned to play less than a year after rupturing his Achilles. But he seems excited for a Celtics team with new title hopes.
This gives so much hope for the Indiana Pacers that Haliburton can provide a similar response after his much-anticipated return. The Pacers are hoping to pick up where they left off in the 2025 NBA Finals upon Haliburton's return, and the success stories of Murray and Tatum suggest it's indeed within the realm of possibility.
