Damian Lillard is back in Portland, but fans won’t be seeing him on the court any time soon. The 35-year-old guard, who tore his left Achilles tendon during last spring’s playoffs, is focused less on speed and more on patience this time. At the Trailblazers’ media day on Monday, Sept. 29, he spoke openly about his recovery and the lesson he’s choosing to follow as he rehabs for the long road ahead.
What is Damian Lillard’s Thought Process in Navigating his Recovery?
After suffering an Achilles tear in April while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard has already been flooded with advice from doctors, trainers, and fellow players who’ve been through the same ordeal. One piece of wisdom, he says, stood out most.
“Don’t try to be the guy who does it ‘in record time.’ There’s a lot you have to work through,” Lillard said. “It usually takes a little bit longer.”
That perspective has shaped his entire approach. Rather than chasing headlines about a miraculous comeback, Lillard has accepted that the 2025-26 season will be a lost year. He confirmed he doesn’t plan to return until 2026-27, emphasizing health over hurry.
“I don’t plan on it,” he admitted. “I feel like if this team is a 1 seed [without me], they probably got it. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible.”
The nine-time All-Star remains confident that his shooting and playmaking will still translate once he’s back, but for now, the focus is on building his body back carefully, not quickly.
Lillard Has a Larger-Than-Basketball Role To Play With the Blazers
Lillard’s return to the Blazers was not only about basketball. After a rocky stint with the Bucks, where a $112.6 million contract was stretched and waived this summer, he signed a new three-year, $41.6 million deal with a player option to come home. The move, reportedly, was motivated by both a desire to be closer to family and disappointment with how his time in Milwaukee unfolded.
The original trade that sent him to the Bucks before the 2023-24 season was supposed to give him a title shot, but the fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo never clicked. Meanwhile, his preferred destination, the Miami Heat, never materialized either. Now, Portland is signaling a reset, reacquiring Jrue Holiday and committing to fielding a more competitive roster around their veterans.
In this chapter, Lillard will be more than a scorer. He will take on a mentor’s role while rehabbing, serving as both advisor and leader in the locker room. It’s a transition that comes at the right time for a team that missed the playoffs last season but showed promise defensively.
And while Rip City will need to wait at least another year before seeing their star back in uniform, Lillard has made it clear that his comeback won’t be about being fast but impactful and steady.
