Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard Expected To Miss Entire 2025-26 NBA Season

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season rehabbing his torn left Achilles tendon, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. 

Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers. He will be around his children while he recovers from his leg injury. 

“Damian Lillard is expected to use the entire 2025-26 season to rehab the Achilles tear and then return for the Portland Trail Blazers, make his reunion and return in that arena, in 2026-27,” Charania said. 

Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon on April 27. He was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. That amount will be stretched over the next five seasons.

A future Hall of Famer, Lillard spent the first 11 years of his career with the Trail Blazers before requesting a trade in 2023 and getting traded to the Bucks. The point guard is the best player in Portland franchise history, as he holds 17 records. 

Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers.