Damian Lillard could make a shocking return in the 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard has been out since last year’s playoffs after tearing his Achilles tendon in his last outing for the Milwaukee Bucks. He returned to Portland after getting waived and stretched by Milwaukee.
Initially, the Blazers weren’t among the playoff contenders. But Deni Avdija’s All-Star ascension and others stepping up led the team back to the postseason without its returning best player, who was expected to miss the whole season. However, with Portland tying the series 1-1 against Victor Wembanyama and Co. after the 7-foot-4 phenom went down with a concussion in Game 2, the chances of Lillard’s return look promising.
Here’s what The Oregon’s Bill Oram reported on Thursday on Lillard’s potential comeback:
“However implausible it may seem, the franchise has not completely ruled out the possibility that Lillard could make a surprise appearance in the postseason this year, multiple sources said. Obviously, the longer its run lasts, the more realistic such a long-shot scenario becomes. ‘I wouldn’t rule anything out,’ a source said, ‘or get too excited about anything.’
“A source said Lillard is ‘close’ and that his return before the end of the postseason is ‘not impossible.’ Any appearance would need to be in a later round or ‘deep, deep’ in the series against the Spurs. At a minimum, the team is being open-minded about the possibility.”
“Probably not,” Splitter said.
Damian Lillard officially ruled out for Game 3 vs. Spurs on Blazers’ injury report
Despite Thiago Splitter teasing a potential Damian Lillard return in the first round of the playoffs, the former All-Star remains officially ruled out ahead of Friday’s Game 3, citing a left Achilles tendon injury.
If there are any legs to the murmurs and reports of Lillard’s shocking return, his next chance to suit up would be on Game 4, also at the Moda Center, on Sunday. The Spurs face key injury concerns with Victor Wembanyama listed as questionable to play. The Defensive Player of the Year suffered a concussion in Game 2, putting his status in jeopardy and giving Portland a chance to extend the series.
If that happens, Damian Lillard’s chances of suiting up this year will likely remain alive, especially if this series goes to six games.
