Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) watches teammates warm up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Moda Center
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard's comeback season for the Portland Blazers is near. After his two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Blazers guard Lillard spent the 2025-26 season rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles injury. He did participate in last season's 3-point contest at All-Star weekend, taking home the title after tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges' all-time record (29 points), but spent the rest of the campaign working on his official comeback to the team that drafted him in 2012.
Lillard is gearing up for his 12th season with the Blazers and is looking good in a new video posted by Ball_vision824's TikTok.
Damian Lillard looking ready for a huge comeback season following his Achilles injury 👀
(via baller_vision824/TikTok)pic.twitter.com/W9HfhTwPud
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 13, 2026
The 2025-26 Blazers had their first winning season in five years, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21 with a 42-40 record despite Lillard's absence. Portland will look to build on its 4-1 first-round playoff exit to the San Antonio Spurs next season.
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Blazers' Jrue Holiday on Damian Lillard's impact in 2025-26
In an interview with ClutchPoints at the start of the 2025-26 season, veteran Jrue Holiday talked about Damian Lillard's impact with the Blazers despite his season-long recovery. Holiday, who was traded to the Blazers after helping the Celtics win a championship in 2024, discussed their history together and how excited he was about the team they'll be leading into a new era.
“We played in the Olympics together. I used to be with Adidas. So, we've done some stuff together with that,” Holiday said. “So, I've known him for a long time. Just his knowledge of the game, experiences that he's been through, even what he's passing onto me and the rest of the team as we're playing even though he's sidelined, has been invaluable.”
Lillard earned his ninth All-Star selection in 2024-25, posting 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in his final season with the Bucks.