Damian Lillard Working to Return, Potentially During 2026 NBA Playoffs

Lillard was assumed to be out for the whole season after tearing his Achilles tendon in last year’s playoffs, but Portland isn’t ruling out a postseason return.

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks is helped off the court after an apparent injury during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on April 27, 2025. Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Portland Trail Blazers lost Game 3 of their 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and now trail the best-of-seven series 2–1.

Game 4 takes place on Sunday, and the following Monday marks an important day for currently injured Blazers guard Damian Lillard. It was on April 27 a year ago that Lillard tore his Achilles tendon while in the postseason and playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.