Damian Lillard’s 2024 divorce from wife Kay’La Lillard has resurfaced online just as uncertainty swirls around his NBA future following his unexpected release from the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to Willamette Week, the former Portland Trail Blazers point guard cited “irreconcilable differences” in the filing. Lillard and Kay’La, who met while attending Weber State University, tied the knot in 2021 and share three children. Though the divorce was quietly filed months ago, it’s once again gaining attention now that Lillard’s career is in a state of flux.
Last year, Lillard opened up about the emotional weight of the split, sharing to Yahoo Sports, “As much as I love basketball, and I love my job, I don’t care about it more than I care about my kids. Of course you carry it with you. People say, ‘When I hoop I ain’t thinking about nothing,’ but I’m not 21. I got three kids. I’m tight with my family and I’m going through a divorce.”
Kay'La Lillard (L) and her husband, Damian Lillard
Kay’La Lillard and her husband, Damian Lillard Ethan Miller/Getty Images
He described the breakup and his departure from Portland as the most difficult chapter of his life—one further complicated by Kay’La’s request for sole custody of their children.
In her response to the divorce filing, Kay’La stated that Lillard had “never been solely responsible for the care of all three of our children for any extended period of time without the assistance of nannies, assistants, or family members.”
She continued, “While the children lived with me full-time, Father determined when and how often he saw them. When he was in town—not traveling for basketball, endorsements, publicity, or his music—he’d occasionally stop by for about thirty minutes to an hour to play with the kids, either while I was present or with a nanny, a few times a week.”
The Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to waive the seven-time All-Star shocked NBA fans and insiders alike.
After requesting a trade from Portland in 2023, Lillard was dealt to Milwaukee in a high-profile move intended to boost the team’s championship chances. Instead, his season was marked by inconsistency and injury. A torn Achilles suffered during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers only made matters worse.
Now, with his future in the league unclear, speculation is swirling. Reports suggest the Boston Celtics could be a potential landing spot for Lillard, but with the severity of his injury, there’s no clear timeline for a return.