After getting waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on July. 6, Damian Lillard made a move that the NBA world didn’t anticipate.
Instead of joining a high-profile organization like the Golden State Warriors, the nine-time All-Star elected to return to the Portland Trail Blazers for his second stint with the franchise.
However, Lillard has yet to appear in a game with the Trail Blazers this season due to a previous setback, and is back on the franchise’s injury list ahead of its Sunday night battle vs. The defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Is Damian Lillard making his season debut with the Trail Blazers tonight vs. The Thunder?
No, Lillard isn’t making his season debut vs. The Trail Blazers tonight. Lillard suffered a torn ACL with the Bucks in the 2025 postseason, making it unlikely he would be ready to compete early in the 2025-26 season.
Still, there’s no doubt that while the Trail Blazers are disappointed that Lillard is currently inactive, they’re grateful that he’s rejoined the organization that selected him with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Lillard was involved in several epic moments with the Blazers during his first go-round.
From drilling a deep step-back jumper over Paul George’s outstretched right arm to eliminate the Thunder from the 2019 playoffs to helping Portland secure an exhilarating Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets to advance to the Western Conference finals during the same postseason, Lillard’s initial 11-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers was far from dull.
It’s reasonable to assume Lillard and the Trail Blazers are looking forward to building more lasting memories together in Portland.
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