Damian Lillard Plans Portland Return After Achilles Injury

Damian Lillard, the veteran NBA guard, suffered a torn Achilles tendon in April 2025 while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, a serious injury that typically requires nine to twelve months of recovery. The Bucks waived Lillard and stretched his remaining $103 million contract to create cap space, subsequently signing former rival Myles Turner, while Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent the first 11 years of his career. In a livestream with YouTube star iShowSpeed, Lillard revealed he expects to return at the start of the next NBA season but emphasized the importance of fully recovering from the Achilles injury, stating, "That Achilles, you can’t f— around with that." Lillard has been clear about his intent to return as his former self and not as a diminished player, acknowledging the challenges of modern NBA play and its physical demands that may contribute to such injuries. Despite not contending for a title with Portland currently, Lillard’s leadership and experience are expected to be valuable for mentoring young players as he completes his rehabilitation.