Portland Trail Blazers icon Damian Lillard made his triumphant return to Rip City on Sunday, receiving a rousing welcome from the franchise’s faithful.
Lillard finalized a three-year, $42 million deal to rejoin Portland in mid-July after the Milwaukee Bucks unexpectedly waived him and stretched the remaining $112.6 million on his previous contract. The financially motivated decision came amid the nine-time All-Star’s anticipated lengthy rehab from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered on April 27.
While Lillard will likely miss the entire 2025-26 season, fan excitement surrounding the beloved 13-year veteran’s reunion with the Trail Blazers appears sky-high.
Trail Blazers Fans Shower Damian Lillard With Love in Portland Return
Thousands of Trail Blazers supporters attended Sunday’s fan event at downtown Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square to celebrate Lillard’s homecoming. The warm reception from the crowd, largely adorned in Lillard’s signature No. 0 jerseys and holding signs that read “Welcome Home Dame,” set the stage for an emotional scene.
The sweetest reunion ❤️ pic.twitter.com/goj7RVwp31
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) September 21, 2025
Lillard, selected No. 6 by Portland in the 2012 NBA Draft, spent his first 11 seasons with the franchise, becoming its all-time leading scorer (19,376 points). In Sunday’s speech, the seven-time All-NBA selectee expressed how much he values the chance to return to his old stomping grounds and continue his unfinished business.
“The Trail Blazers, the city of Portland, being part of this community, y’all know how much it means to me,” Lillard told fans. “So, I’m extremely excited and happy to be back.”
Citing his desire to compete for his first title, Lillard requested a trade in the 2023 offseason after the Trail Blazers missed the playoffs in back-to-back years. His wish was granted just a couple of months later, as he was shipped to Milwaukee in a blockbuster three-team deal in September 2023.
The move allowed Lillard to pair his outside shooting prowess with arguably the league’s top interior force, Giannis Antetokounmpo, forming a dynamic duo. However, amid repeated injury setbacks, the Bucks suffered consecutive first-round postseason exits during Lillard’s brief two-year tenure, leading up to his stunning release.
Throughout that period, Lillard’s family remained in Portland, underscoring the emotional weight of his highly anticipated return.
“Just being back in this city has brought a different type of joy back to my life, you know, my spirit,” Lillard shared with the crowd. “… The love never changed, and it’s going to continue to grow.”
The 35-year-old is projected to serve as a mentor for the Trail Blazers’ young squad, particularly up-and-coming guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, as he continues his Achilles recovery. Despite finishing 36-46 last season, the team went 23-18 over the campaign’s second half, sparking optimism for a potential 2026 playoff push.
