Listing the only 3 NBA players to make an All-Star team after returning from a torn Achilles injury

#2 Dominique Wilkins

The Human Highlight Film tore his Achilles during a January 1992 match against the Philadelphia 76ers. It was his tenth season in the NBA, with his overall 28.1 ppg also earning him a call-up to the Eastern Conference All-Star reserve team. Two days after the January 28th match, he went through surgery and made a return the following season.

Dominique Wilkins tore his Achilles and then put up 29.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.2 APG when he returned. He advised DeMarcus Cousins as he rehabbed his torn Achilles and I'm sure he'll help Kevin Durant too. In January, I spoke to 'Nique about his recovery and the advice he gave Cousins: pic.twitter.com/lmTrFYgcKR
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 11, 2019

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Wilkins went on to earn two further All-Star callups in the coming seasons despite not being at his very best post-injury. He was unlucky to have never won the NBA title, and was traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the LA Clippers two years after making his return from the injury. Regardless, his performances proved to be of All-Star caliber even after the injury despite him losing quite a bit of steam.

#1 Kobe Bryant

The late LA Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant suffered his Achilles rupture in April 2013. The injury meant that Bryant’s season ended after just 6 games, and he was forced into surgery soon after. Bryant was playing the second-highest minutes towards the start of the NBA season, trailing only rookie Damian Lillard in minutes until then.

#OTD in 2013, Kobe tore his Achilles ... and then hit two free throws.Mamba mentality. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/AIJQEWp77b
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

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Bryant was 34, suffered for more than a season, but managed to produce another 20+ ppg season before calling it quits once and for all. Before retirement, he earned another All-Star callup after averaging more than five rebounds and five assists along with 22.3 points per game. He became the second NBA player to have made the All-Star team after recovering from a torn Achilles as a result.