Damian Lillard’s path back to Portland is getting closer, and the latest sign comes from a new workout video that shows the Blazers star looking sharp as he continues his comeback.
The nine-time All-Star spent the 2025-26 season rehabbing after a ruptured Achilles, putting the focus on recovery instead of game action. He did still make an appearance at last season’s All-Star weekend, where he won the 3-point contest after tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges’ all-time record with 29 points. The rest of the year, though, was spent preparing for his return to the team that drafted him in 2012.
Now Lillard is heading into what would be his 12th season with Portland, and the new video posted by Ball_vision824’s TikTok suggests the comeback is moving in the right direction.
Portland’s season without him still had plenty to build on. The Blazers finished 42-40, posted their first winning season in five years, and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. Their run ended with a 4-1 first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but the team now has a foundation to work from when Lillard returns.
His influence hasn’t been limited to rehab. Jrue Holiday spoke about that impact, saying, “We played in the Olympics together.
I used to be with Adidas. So, we've done some stuff together with that,” Holiday said.
“So, I've known him for a long time. Just his knowledge of the game, experiences that he's been through, even what he's passing onto me and the rest of the team as we're playing even though he's sidelined, has been invaluable.”
Damian Lillard looking ready for a huge comeback season following his Achilles injury 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 13, 2026
(via baller_vision824/TikTok)pic.twitter.com/W9HfhTwPud
Before the injury, Lillard was still producing at a high level. In his final season with the Bucks, he earned his ninth All-Star nod and averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.
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