Damian Lillard, suffering a devastating injury during the 2025 playoffs that saw him miss all of last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, has his Blazers coaches and teammates absolutely buzzing about his return. Everyone around him can barely believe what they are seeing.
The Word From Blazers Camp Is Simply Wild
You know it is serious when the head coach can barely contain himself. Blazers head coach Micah Nori told Jason Quick of The Athletic, straight up, that Dame “looks phenomenal.” After an Achilles tear, a guy comes back looking phenomenal? Nori did not stop there, adding, “Every time I see him shoot the ball, I think it’s going in.” Think about it! Nori even added, “If I never knew Dame Lillard, and I came into the building and just started watching them play basketball, I would not be able to tell he had any type of surgery.”
That is absolutely insane praise, right? It gets better. Blazers forward Toumani Camara, who is actually on the court with Lillard, echoed the sentiment. Camara called Dame “Impressive. Very, very impressive.” What really blew him away? It was, Camara said, “his first step, his speed, especially coming back from that injury. He was just very hard to guard all around.” Dame has been putting in daily runs at the Blazers’ facility, and after undergoing physicals last Wednesday, Nori believes Lillard will be a full participant with no limitations when training camp officially kicks off Tuesday, September 29. This is not just hype, it is real.
Dame’s Legacy and Portland’s Fresh Start
He is a 36-year-old, nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA legend. Dame has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists across his 13 NBA seasons and is even a 75th Anniversary Team member. He spent 11 campaigns in Portland, then had a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks after a trade request, and now he is back with the Blazers on a three-year deal, ready to lead the charge.
The arrow is seriously pointing up for Portland. They went from a dismal 21-61 in 2023-24 to 36-46 in 2024-25, then bounced into the playoffs last year as a 42-win No. 7 seed. With Dame back in the mix, alongside that young core which made the playoffs, and the addition of Ja Morant via trade, plus Nori getting his shot as a respected head coach? If Dame comes back anywhere close to his old form, that is a massive win and could send this team to serious heights.
The season officially tips off Wednesday, October 21, against the Phoenix Suns. You better believe Dame Lillard will be starting, and that home crowd is going to give him the welcome he absolutely deserves. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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