As the Portland Trail Blazers made a surprising playoff appearance in 2026, the status of Damian Lillard came into focus.
Although the star guard was expected to miss the entire 2025-2026 season after tearing his Achilles with the Milwaukee Bucks last year, rumors were beginning to swirl that he could be a participant in the second round if the Blazers could upset the San Antonio Spurs.
Lillard spoke in front of Portland reporters for the first time in months on Thursday and addressed the hypothetical situation.
Was Damian Lillard Seriously Considering A Return?
GettyPORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Moda Center on November 03, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“I definitely thought about it,” Lillard told reporters.
“I never put it out there, like, ‘Hey, let’s start a conversation about it.’ It was funny that it started to come up, because I never really mentioned it. I think how I started to go about the process, like in my daily stuff, and how I started to build up, and how I looked, people probably [thought I would]. I thought about it, where it was like, depending on how far this goes. I would definitely have been eyeing up the possibility of coming back.”
Damian Lillard Gets A Fresh Start
PORTLAND, OREGON – JULY 21: Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks during a press conference at Moda Center on July 21, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)
The last time Lillard played in an actual NBA game was during the Bucks’ 2025 playoff run. His final game came in Game 4, which took place on April 27.
After his time with the Bucks concluded, he returned to the Blazers for a second stint, but it still serves as a fresh start.
While Lillard played mentor all year long, he’ll get a chance to begin the season in 2026-2027 without feeling the need to rush into a high-stakes setting. If Lillard had returned in the playoffs, the pressure would be through the roof.
“It’s been a full season, our team is playing well, I wouldn’t want to be disruptive,” Lillard added. “[Fans] would have expected this heroic comeback, and like, Bro, I haven’t played in a whole ear. Even though I’m training, I know I would have been able to be productive, but that’s giving me a lot of credit to think I’m just going to come back and go crazy.”
Lillard and the Blazers don’t have to test it out. Portland fell way short against a surging Spurs team and saw their season end. Lillard has a lot to look forward to, and he doesn’t have to rush to get back.