Damian Lillard Announces Target Return Date Amid Achilles Injury

Following his release, Lillard quickly returned to familiar ground, finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, including a player option for 2027–28 and a no-trade clause. The agreement not only allows him to rehab close to home but also reestablishes his bond with the franchise where he spent his first 11 seasons.

Speaking Thursday during a stream with YouTube creator iShowSpeed, Lillard addressed his recovery timeline directly.

“Probably the start of next season,” he said. “That Achilles, you can’t [expletive] around with that. I just got to get all the way right.”

Achilles tendon injuries typically require nine to twelve months of recovery, and even longer for players to regain full confidence. Superstars like the late great Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant both managed comebacks after similar setbacks, though adjustments to their playing style were necessary. Lillard is one of several stars to suffer Achilles or ACL injuries last season, including Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving and Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum.

Before the setback, Lillard posted 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game for Milwaukee, showing flashes of his All-Star pedigree. His hope now is that with the proper recovery, he can bring that level of production back to Portland.

At 35 years old, Lillard has already established himself as one of the NBA’s premier guards of his era. His résumé includes nine All-Star selections, six All-NBA honors, and countless clutch performances in a Portland uniform. After his brief stop in Milwaukee ended with disappointment, he will look to prove that his career is far from finished.

Fans across the league are eagerly awaiting his return, with the hope that he can reclaim his role as one of the game’s most dynamic scorers and leaders. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are banking on his recovery and experience to help guide their roster forward. If Lillard can return at the start of next season as planned, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one that gives him the chance to finish his career on his terms, back where it all began.