Damian Lillard’s resolve is high just two days after an excruciating torn left Achilles tendon knocked him out of the rest of this season’s playoffs.
Lillard spoke with Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday and made a vow that the devastating injury will not shorten his stellar NBA career.
“He said two things, which I love,” Rivers told reporters prior to Game 5 of the first-round series with the Indiana Pacers. “The first one, he just said, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ Then the second one is, ‘I’m not going out this way.’
“I can guarantee you he won’t, and that’s what I meant about his resolve.”
Lillard turns 35 on July 15 and faces a long rehab from the Achilles injury to return to top basketball form. A timeline hasn’t been formally set, but he will likely miss a large chunk of the 2025-26 season and possibly all of it.
Lillard was hurt in the first quarter of the Bucks’ 129-103 Game 4 loss on Sunday in just his third game back after dealing with a blood clot in his right calf. He missed the final 14 games of the regular season and the first contest of the playoff series against the Pacers.
A long rebound came his way midway through the first quarter and the Achilles gave out when Lillard planted his foot to retrieve the ball. As his heel gave out, he leaned forward to tap the ball toward a teammate. He then grabbed his lower leg and was eventually helped off the court.
Seemingly, the severity of the injury would just be sinking in. But Lillard already is thinking about his return to the sport.
“It’s amazing,” Rivers said. “He’s already talking about his return and being better and being ready. We had a long talk about that today as well.”
A nine-time All-Star, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 58 regular-season games during his second campaign with the Bucks. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lillard owns career averages of 25.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 900 regular-season contests. His 2,804 3-pointers rank fourth in NBA history.
Indiana recorded a 119-118 overtime victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night to win the series.
–Field Level Media
