In an eerie twist during the 2025 NBA playoffs, three of the league’s premier players – Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard – each suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
While the injuries alone were shocking, one detail has sparked speculation among fans and analysts alike: all three players wore the number 0 on their jerseys. Is it simply a bizarre coincidence, or is jersey number 0 becoming synonymous with postseason misfortune?
The sequence began in late April when Lillard, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, tore his Achilles in Game 4 of a tightly contested first-round series. Weeks later, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum experienced a similar fate in the Eastern Conference semifinals against New York.
Then, on the biggest stage of all-Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton went down in agony during the first quarter, clutching his lower right leg. Later, his father confirmed what many feared: it was a torn Achilles.
Each player, a cornerstone of their respective franchise, was playing a pivotal role in their team’s playoff run. Haliburton, notably, had been dealing with a calf strain for several games and had opted to play through it. In a comment just days before Game 7, he stated, “I know the risks, I know everything that comes with it. I just had to hear it was OK.”
When Haliburton collapsed to the hardwood, it marked the third Achilles injury in under two months involving a No. 0 jersey. Social media was quick to catch on, with fans declaring, “Every player who tore their Achilles these playoffs wore number 0. That jersey is cursed.”
Curse or pure coincidence?
While it’s tempting to assign deeper meaning to the situation, sports medicine professionals are urging caution. Achilles tendon injuries are among the most serious in sports and often result from cumulative fatigue, prior strain, or poor recovery – certainly not anything related to a jersey digit.
Still, the statistical rarity of this alignment can’t be ignored. Achilles ruptures are already uncommon in a single postseason. To have three in one year-affecting players with the same number and all of them stars – adds to the uncanny nature of the pattern.
Compounding the mystery is that each player was in the midst of a heavy-minute, high-pressure playoff schedule. As the postseason grinds on, the intensity increases, and so does the wear and tear on the body. Haliburton was receiving round-the-clock treatment to stay on the court. Tatum was playing through increased physical demands. Lillard, ever the competitor, had also pushed through prior soreness before his breakdown.
Ultimately, what ties these injuries together more than a jersey number is the sheer physical toll of the NBA playoffs. Elite players are logging 40+ minutes in high-impact situations with minimal rest. The Achilles tendon, though strong, is susceptible to rupture under repetitive stress – especially when already strained.
The real culprit behind increased injuries
There’s growing concern among franchises and trainers that player workloads during the postseason are becoming unsustainable. Experts are calling for enhanced monitoring, injury prediction protocols, and better pacing to reduce catastrophic outcomes.
While fans may joke about a “cursed” jersey, the league may be dealing with a deeper issue related to athlete health and injury prevention. The coincidence around jersey No. 0 is compelling, but the pattern suggests a broader conversation needs to happen about how the NBA handles player conditioning through the long and grueling playoff stretch.
As for Haliburton, Tatum, and Lillard, all three face long recoveries. Achilles injuries typically require 9-12 months of rehab, meaning the start of their 2025-26 seasons is in jeopardy. But each has expressed determination to return stronger.
In the end, whether the number 0 truly carries a hex or not, one thing is clear: this postseason has reminded the league just how fragile greatness can be – and how quickly it can disappear in a single step.
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