Damian Lillard officially crossed the incredible 100,000 shots mark in his injury rehab, a massive personal goal he set for himself while sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season. This isn’t just a number; it is a testament to the grit of a nine-time All-Star who battled back from a torn Achilles. It means one of the NBA’s most electric scorers is putting in the work, even when the cameras aren’t on him.
The Grind Was Real: How Dame D.O.L.L.A. Attacked His Comeback
Missing a whole season with a torn Achilles? That’s brutal for any player, let alone someone like Lillard. But instead of sitting idle, Dame got to work. He revealed this insane process kicked off after he was cleared for basketball activities, with the Portland staff tracking his shots. He had already put up about 8,000 shots when the lightbulb went off. “Eventually once I got to about 8,000 I was like ‘By this time next year, I’m gonna try to make 100,000,’” Lillard said in a video posted by the Trail Blazers on X. That’s a goal for the ages right there.
From that moment in September 2025, it was all about the grind. Every single workout got tracked, every made shot went into the system. This wasn’t some casual thing; this was a focused, intentional mission. It shows you the dedication. This dude isn’t just recovering; he’s reloading. He didn’t just *say* he would do something, he executed on it, reaching that 100,000 shot milestone exactly when he said he would. We know Lillard is one of the league’s best, and this kind of commitment is why.
Still a Sniper: The Numbers Don’t Lie About Lillard’s Touch
Even missing a full year, Lillard’s status as an all-time great shooter is undisputed. The man sits at No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time three-point shooting leaderboard, which is just insane when you think about it. And get this: even while sidelined, he *still* went out and won the 3-Point Contest during the 2026 All-Star festivities. Let that sink in. He wasn’t playing full games, he was recovering, and he still outshot everyone in the league’s most prestigious shooting competition. That’s a cold-blooded assassin right there, showing everyone his touch never left.
His return is going to be huge for the Trail Blazers. Last season, the team finally snapped a four-year playoff drought, a massive step for them. Adding a healthy and motivated Lillard back into that mix for the 2026-27 campaign is going to be a game-changer. You know he’s going to come back with that fire, ready to light up the league after putting in all that work. Get ready, because a player who just drained 100,000 shots in rehab isn’t coming back quietly. He’s coming back to boost his squad and remind everyone why he’s one of the best.
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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