Damian Lillard considered the possibility of returning to the lineup for the Portland Trail Blazers during last season's playoffs, but the star guard was never close to setting a firm timetable for his comeback.
In an exclusive interview with Andscape's Marc J. Spears via ESPN, Lillard opened up about his thought process as Portland made its postseason push. While the opportunity to return crossed his mind, the veteran understood that his recovery would have to progress before he could seriously consider stepping back onto the court.
"I definitely thought about it, but it was more if we are able to get through a couple series and I’m able to kind of get comfortable and see that light at the end of the tunnel,” Lillard said. “But I wasn’t sitting there like, ‘Man, I’m targeting the date’ or nothing.”
Lillard's comments offer an interesting look at how he approached his recovery while watching his teammates compete in the postseason. For a player who has spent his career wanting the ball in his hands during the biggest moments, the possibility of helping Portland on its playoff run was understandably appealing.
However, Lillard was not going to rush back simply because the team was playing meaningful basketball. His focus remained on making progress physically and seeing how his recovery developed rather than forcing himself into a return before he was ready.
That patience was particularly important given the circumstances surrounding his absence. Lillard was recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon, one of the most challenging injuries an NBA player can face. Returning from such an injury requires extensive rehabilitation, and the recovery process can be difficult to predict.
Even if Portland had advanced through multiple rounds, Lillard still would have needed to feel comfortable enough physically to contribute. The guard's comments suggest he was willing to entertain the possibility without allowing the excitement of the playoffs to dictate his rehabilitation schedule.
For the Trail Blazers, Lillard's potential return would have represented a significant boost, especially with his experience and ability to create offense in high-pressure situations. Still, getting him back at full strength was far more important than squeezing a few additional games out of him during the postseason.
Now, with Lillard working toward his return, his comments provide a reminder of just how much uncertainty surrounded his recovery. He clearly considered the possibility of rejoining Portland, but there was never a specific date circled on his calendar.
The goal was always to get healthy enough to play again, not to beat an arbitrary deadline. For a franchise hoping to make meaningful progress, having Lillard return for the start of the 2026 season will matter much more than when he first thought a comeback might be possible.