Damian Lillard Gives Injury Update, Eyes Full Return for 2026 Season
Damian Lillard is still on the road to recovery, but he’s making it clear: he’s not rushing the process. The Portland Trail Blazers guard confirmed this week that while he’ll be suiting up for the NBA’s 3-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend, he won’t be back in game action this season. His Achilles rehab remains the priority, and he’s focused on getting back to full strength - on his own timeline.
“I’m running my own race,” Lillard said recently. And at 35 years old, with over a decade of NBA miles behind him, that mindset makes a lot of sense.
“If I was 23, 24, 25, I probably would be more [competitive] about who is doing what,” Lillard added. “But I know where I am physically.
I can feel it. I’m on the court every day, and to me, it’s not about what [Jayson Tatum] is doing.
After the season, I’m going into a full summer to get ready for next season, and I want to make sure that I’m 1,000 percent and that I can play every year for the rest of my career as the best version of myself. So, I’m not in a hurry, especially knowing that I’ve got time.
That’s the game I’m playing.”
This isn’t about keeping up with anyone else’s recovery timeline. Lillard has seen players bounce back quickly from similar injuries - some even returning in time for playoff runs.
But for him, it’s not about speed. It’s about sustainability.
He wants to be at his peak when he returns, and more importantly, he wants to stay there.
So how close is he to being back? Lillard kept it vague: “I can do a lot, that’s where I’ll put it.”
What Does This Mean for the Blazers?
That’s the big question in Portland right now.
When Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks last summer, he didn’t just land back with the Trail Blazers for nostalgia’s sake. This was about opportunity - about building something competitive. And while Portland might not be a title contender just yet, there are signs of real progress.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Blazers are sitting 9th in the Western Conference with a 26-28 record. Not eye-popping, but considering the youth on the roster and the absence of a player like Lillard, it’s a step in the right direction. The team is scrappy, improving, and building chemistry - all things that could pay off in a big way once Lillard is back in the mix.
And let’s not forget what Lillard brings when healthy. In his most recent stint with Milwaukee, he averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, knocking down 37 percent of his looks from deep. That kind of production - paired with his leadership and ability to take over late in games - could be the missing piece that elevates this Blazers squad from promising to playoff-proven.
For now, Lillard’s focus is on the long game. He’s not chasing headlines or rushing back to make a statement. He’s working, quietly and consistently, to make sure that when he does return, he’s doing it at full capacity - and with a purpose.
The comeback isn’t just about getting back on the court. It’s about finishing strong, on his own terms. And if the Blazers can keep trending upward while he does that, next season could get very interesting in Portland.