Why Damian Lillard isn't playing for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs amid injury news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Three-hundred and sixty-two days have passed since Damian Lillard suffered a left Achilles tendon rupture in what turned out to be his final game for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lillard has yet to play this season as the star point guard continues to recover from the Achilles tear. But optimism is growing that the nine-time All-Star could make a dramatic return in the playoffs if the Portland Trail Blazers go far enough.
The momentum has shifted in the Blazers' first-round series with the San Antonio Spurs. Portland on Tuesday stole Game 2 on the road to even the series at one win apiece, and the Blazers head home for Games 3 and 4 while the Spurs sweat out the availability of concussed superstar Victor Wembanyama.
However, Lillard's return this season remains some ways away -- if it happens at all.
Though he thrilled fans when won the 3-Point Contest over All-Star Weekend in February, Lillard has only a remote shot to play for Portland in this year's playoffs.
Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter said Thursday that Lillard "probably" won't play during this series against San Antonio. It would probably take a run into the Western Conference semifinals for Portland to seriously consider rolling out their all-time leading scorer.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 22, 2026
A recent workout video excited fans and gained traction on social media, and Lillard making a dramatic comeback in the playoffs has not been ruled out or deemed an "impossibility."
But it would take something unexpected for Lillard to return from his devastating injury over the next few days as Portland eyes a first-round upset over one of the NBA's championship favorites.
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