The route back to action

Lillard tore his left Achilles during Milwaukee's playoff series against Indiana. He remembers suggestions that his career could be over and says they strengthened his determination to confront the challenge. After two Bucks seasons, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to Portland in July 2025. The Blazers selected him sixth in 2012, and he spent his first eleven seasons there. He averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in his final Milwaukee season, limited to 58 games following deep vein thrombosis.

Sharing the responsibility

Portland have added Ja Morant to a guard group also containing Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday. In this month's opening preseason win over Golden State, 123-118, Lillard and Morant each played nineteen minutes. Lillard scored fifteen; Morant added eight points and five assists. Lillard sees opportunities in moving the ball to Morant or Deni Avdija and receiving returns for perimeter shots. He does not assume he must play 35–37 minutes when alternatives exist. Morant similarly wants to create easier looks for his teammate. These are preparation-stage possibilities, not a settled season-long distribution of roles.