Trail Blazers Damian Lillard Returns from Achilles Injury with Uncertain Timeline

Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers' nine-time All-Star point guard, is currently recovering from a serious Achilles tendon injury sustained during the 2024-25 season while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite being waived by the Bucks and later re-signed by the Blazers, there is significant uncertainty about whether Lillard, now 35, will return to his previous All-Star level, as Achilles injuries are notoriously challenging to recover from, especially at his age. Lillard has shared that his rehabilitation includes periods of slow progress followed by noticeable improvement, but he has not provided a specific timeline for his return to the court, which is likely to be delayed beyond the start of the new season. The Blazers, understanding his physical limitations, value his experience and leadership, particularly to support younger players like Scoot Henderson, while hoping he can still contribute significantly on offense. Lillard himself is focused on a cautious rehab process to regain full strength and has expressed a strong desire to return to Portland, where he feels at home. Medical experts and insiders note that while recovery methods have advanced, many players with similar injuries have not been able to regain their prior performance levels, making Lillard's comeback an uncertain but closely watched journey.