Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard’s playoff run took a horrible turn as he suffered a non-contact leg injury in Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers that instantly raised fears of an Achilles tear.
Fans who know his story will not be unfamiliar with this memory: Lillard nearly had his NBA dreams dashed before they had even started when he broke his foot playing basketball during his junior year at Weber State.
Damian Lillard’s Achilles Scare Evokes Memories of College Setback
During Sunday night’s game, Lillard grabbed his lower left leg after attempting an offensive rebound, immediately signaling something was wrong. Bucks coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “Just being honest, it’s not very promising.”
This incident carries an eerie parallel to Lillard’s time at Weber State, when a broken foot dramatically altered the course of his career.
Lillard was poised for the NBA draft spotlight in his junior season at Weber State. “Freshman of the year, sophomore year MVP, and now I’m on the draft board in my junior year — I break my foot,” Lillard recalled in his documentary.
That injury forced him to sit out, watching from the sidelines while his draft stock plummeted. Much like today, his future once hung in the balance, as doubt and uncertainty clouded his dreams.
At the time, Lillard reflected on the emotional impact:
“I was crying, like… you know, I felt like [I was] probably going to try to go to League — and I can’t.”
That experience deeply shaped his mentality, teaching him that success could be taken away in an instant — a lesson now revisited in painful real time.
How Past Resilience Could Shape His Recovery Again
Although the current injury could sideline him for a significant time, Lillard’s response to past adversity suggests he may once again find a way to emerge stronger. After his broken foot at Weber State, Lillard didn’t waste time; he transformed the setback into an opportunity for growth.
As recounted, “I was lifting with a boot on… sitting in a chair, shooting on a gun, pounding the ball with my right and left hand, crossovers behind the chair.”
Those grueling months off the court helped Lillard build a more complete game. He returned to Weber State, led the nation in scoring, dominated pre-draft workouts, and was ultimately selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.
“He just turned into a monster,” one coach said, marveling at his work ethic and evolution during recovery.
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Today, with the Bucks facing elimination and Lillard’s future again uncertain, his history reminds everyone that setbacks have only fueled his ascent before.
Whether the injury is as severe as feared or not, the mindset that made him a star will likely play a critical role in his comeback once again.
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