A strong comeback in Portland
Damian Lillard made his return to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, helping his team secure a 124-83 victory against the Phoenix Suns. The nine time All Star scored 25 points and made six 3 pointers in his first regular season game since rejoining Portland in the summer of 2025.
Lillard spent around 16 months recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Before the game, he addressed the crowd at the Moda Center and received a long standing ovation from the fans.
Lillard and Morant reflect on the night
Lillard noted that he had felt good for months, but understood why people were skeptical before seeing him play again. He added that the fans showed a lot of love, pointing to the special connection he shares with the city.
New teammate Ja Morant also made his Trail Blazers debut, scoring 14 points. Morant praised Lillard after the game, calling his performance special after sitting out for so long.
Career numbers and contract details
Lillard signed a three year, $42 million deal to return to Portland in July 2025. He spent his first 11 seasons with the franchise before playing two years in Milwaukee.
During his last season with the Bucks, Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in 58 games, missing time due to deep vein thrombosis. Over his career, he averages 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game. Lillard said it felt great to be welcomed back healthy and be part of a good team.
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