Damian Lillard is back in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, and he wants one thing understood right away: being 36 does not make him an “old man.”
The nine-time All-Star is expected to play his first regular-season game since returning to Portland on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns at 7 p.m. PT, after missing the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles. And while the Blazers know they’ll need to manage his workload, Lillard made it clear Monday that he sees that as part of the plan, not a sign that he’s done.
“I know I’m 36 and we’ve had conversations about I’m not going to be playing 38 minutes per night. I’m sure there’ll be games where I play more extended minutes and some higher minutes, but with the depth that we have, specifically at the guard position, I don’t think I’ll be having to play super high minutes,” Lillard said.
He followed that up with a blunt reminder that his body has been through plenty, but it’s still very much ready for the job.
“I’m a live body. I’ve taken care of myself for years and years and years, on and off the floor, and I don’t want it to be misunderstood like I’m not an old man. I want to be responsible and take care of myself because of how many years I have played and the wear and tear, the miles, they add up.”
Lillard’s most recent full regular season came with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024-25, and he was still producing at a high level. In 58 games, he averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals, while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from 3-point range and 92.1% from the free-throw line en route to his ninth All-Star selection.
After spending a full season in rehab, Lillard said the return itself hasn’t hit him emotionally the way some might expect. For him, it’s mostly just felt good to get back to basketball that matters.
“I don’t feel emotional about it at all. I’m excited.
I think when you spent that much time away and not being able to play, you’re excited to be back. Excited to play meaningful basketball, games that count,” Lillard said.
“Coming back into the preseason, I was excited to play again, too, after all that time.”
Still, he admitted there was one moment when the whole thing did land a little harder.
“It was more emotional when I first signed back to play here. I was like, man, that was what I wanted to see happen and it did. And that was the emotional part of it.”
Now, after sitting out 2025-26, Lillard gets the next chapter underway in Portland. Wednesday night, the comeback becomes real.
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