Don’t look now, San Antonio Spurs fans, but Damian Lillard could be coming to rescue the Portland Trail Blazers.
On Wednesday, the Trail Blazers took to social media to share a cryptic post of the All-Star point guard. Showcasing a video of Lillard taking the court for warm-ups, the team captioned the post with the eye emoji.
Lillard missed the entire 2025-26 regular season as he recovered from an Achilles injury he suffered in April 2025.
Given that it has been a full year since his injury, Lillard is seemingly close to a return. Although there has been no official report regarding his status, Blazers fans have already begun dreaming of a playoff return for Dame this season.
“If he came back in Game 3, I would actually cry,” one Blazers fan replied under the post.
“Don’t do this to me. Don’t make me believe,” another commented.
“If we make the Finals there’s a chance he plays right?” another fan pondered.
Damian Lillard is Eyeing Full Recovery
GettyPortland Trail Blazers social media team sparked rumors that Damian Lillard could return soon
While it’s a good sign that the nine-time All-Star is running and getting shots up, Blazers fans may have to wait a bit longer for his return.
After winning the Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Lillard discussed the unseen hours of training he’s done behind the scenes this season.
“A lot of my time is spent in the gym training-wise. A lot of it is spent in front of nobody,” Lillard told Forbes reporter DJ Siddiqi. “It’s me and the PT and training room and in the weight room. Then it’s me and the player development guys on the court going through court workouts and stuff like that.”
Having been sidelined all season, Lilard cherished being able to perform in front of a crowd again during the All-Star break.
“It was great to get back in front of fans. It was great to have some competition out there and feel some pressure and have to make shots.”
Following the Blazers’ cryptic social media post, fans are hoping to see Dame in high-pressure situations once again. The Trail Blazers enter Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs with the series tied.
Game 3 will be held at Moda Center in Portland, an arena Lillard helped make famous with his playoff heroics.
Can Damian Lillard Return This Season
GettyDamian Lillard is a year removed from tearing his Achilles tendon
For a high-intensity sport like basketball, torn Achilles injuries often take “at least eight to ten months, and up to twelve months” to fully recover, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
Under this timeline, Lillard should be able to suit up for the Blazers this season.
The former All-Star MVP tore his Achilles on April 11, 2025, a year and eleven days ago.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last year, returned in roughly ten months.
Given that Lillard is older than Tatum and suffered a full tear, he may be a bit delayed in his return.
Does Cryptic Blazers Post Signal Playoff Return For Damian Lillard?