However implausible it may seem, the franchise has not completely ruled out the possibility that Damian 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.” Monday will mark one year since Lillard tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against Indiana. That was 13 days before Jayson Tatum, who returned to play on March 6, tore his Achilles tendon.
Sean Highkin: Damian Lillard is officially ruled out for Game 3 tomorrow, despite what some social media posts may have led people to believe. — 4/23/2026 x.com
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter did not outright say Damian Lillard won’t play in the playoffs (his answer to a yes/no question was “probably not”) but reiterated that Lillard has a plan for his recovery that they’re sticking to. Since July the messaging has been that he’s not playing this year. — 4/23/2026 x.com
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter five days ago at practice before Game 1, asked if there's a chance Dame could play in the playoffs: "His eyes are on next season. He's serious about it. We joke here and there, but he's got a plan and we need to follow that." — 4/22/2026 x.com
Damian Lillard: OMG @CJMcCollum lol — 4/21/2026 x.com
Crazy Stats: Paul George has the most career postseason points (2,416) among players who never made the @NBA Finals. Paul George - 2,416 Steve Nash - 2,072 Carmelo Anthony - 1,914 Joe Johnson - 1,828 Donovan Mitchell - 1,783 Damian Lillard - 1,715 Jalen Brunson - 1,701 Terry Cummings - 1,664 Alex English - 1,661 Vince Carter - 1,593 — 4/19/2026 x.com
In the end, Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter ended all speculations and made it clear that Lillard will not play this 2025-26 season and their looming seven-game clash with the Spurs. "I don’t think so," Splitter told reporters after the Blazers' Friday practice in preparation for Sunday's Game 1 in San Antonio. "He’s had his head on next season. We’ve got to be serious about it. "Of course, we joke about it here and there, but he’s got a plan and we’re all going to follow that." — 4/18/2026 BasketNews
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter says everyone besides Damian Lillard is good to go for Game 1 on Sunday. He jokes that “Dame is questionable.” Follow-up questions confirmed that that was in fact a joke and Dame playing during the playoffs is not on the table. — 4/17/2026 x.com
Kellan Olson: Jerami Grant (right calf strain) is listed as questionable for the Blazers tomorrow against the Suns. He's been out the last 7 games. Damian Lillard (left Achilles injury management) remains out. — 4/13/2026 x.com
?NBA?: A CAREER NIGHT FOR AJ GREEN ?? 35 PTS (career-high) 5 REB 4 AST 2 STL 11 3PM (new Bucks franchise record) The previous record for most 3PM in a game by a Buck was 10, set by Damian Lillard (Nov. 2, 2024), and Ray Allen (Apr. 14, 2002). — 4/11/2026 Bluesky
Antetokounmpo: "Anybody that thinks that without having a person next to you, to share that load, and to bounce off ideas and play - he does not know basketball.” At least one. Antetokounmpo: “Yes. You have to have to have a guy. Like, the period that me and Dame was healthy, we won the NBA Cup. Ying and Yang. You need to have that guy and then you need to have everyone fill their roles.” — 4/7/2026 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Damian Lillard returning before the playoffs end?