{"id":716226,"date":"2026-04-22T23:27:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T23:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716226\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T23:27:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T23:27:22","slug":"does-cryptic-blazers-post-signal-playoff-return-for-damian-lillard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716226\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Cryptic Blazers Post Signal Playoff Return For Damian Lillard?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Damian\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Damian Lillard is back in the gym<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t look now, San Antonio Spurs<\/a> fans, but Damian Lillard could be coming to rescue the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the Trail Blazers<\/a> took to social media to share a cryptic post of the All-Star<\/a> point guard. Showcasing a video of Lillard taking the court for warm-ups, the team captioned the post with the eye emoji.<\/p>\n

Lillard missed the entire 2025-26 regular season as he recovered from an Achilles injury<\/a> he suffered in April 2025.<\/p>\n

Given that it has been a full year since his injury, Lillard is seemingly close to a return. Although there has been no official report regarding his status, Blazers fans have already begun dreaming of a playoff return for Dame this season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he came back in Game 3, I would actually cry,\u201d one Blazers fan replied under the post.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do this to me. Don\u2019t make me believe,\u201d another commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we make the Finals there\u2019s a chance he plays right?\u201d another fan pondered.<\/p>\n

Damian Lillard is Eyeing Full Recovery\"Damian<\/p>\n

GettyPortland Trail Blazers social media team sparked rumors that Damian Lillard could return soon<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s a good sign that the nine-time All-Star<\/a> is running and getting shots up, Blazers fans may have to wait a bit longer for his return.<\/p>\n

After winning the Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Lillard discussed the unseen hours of training he\u2019s done behind the scenes this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of my time is spent in the gym training-wise. A lot of it is spent in front of nobody,\u201d Lillard told Forbes reporter DJ Siddiqi<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s me and the PT and training room and in the weight room. Then it\u2019s me and the player development guys on the court going through court workouts and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having been sidelined all season, Lilard cherished being able to perform in front of a crowd again during the All-Star break.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was great to get back in front of fans. It was great to have some competition out there and feel some pressure and have to make shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the Blazers\u2019 cryptic social media post, fans are hoping to see Dame in high-pressure situations once again. The Trail Blazers enter Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs with the series tied.<\/p>\n

Game 3 will be held at Moda Center in Portland, an arena Lillard helped make famous with his playoff heroics.<\/p>\n

Can Damian Lillard Return This Season\"Damian<\/p>\n

GettyDamian Lillard is a year removed from tearing his Achilles tendon<\/p>\n

For a high-intensity sport like basketball, torn Achilles injuries often take \u201cat least eight to ten months,\u00a0and up to twelve months\u201d to fully recover,\u00a0according to the American College of Sports Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Under this timeline, Lillard\u00a0should\u00a0be able to suit up for the Blazers this season.<\/p>\n

The former All-Star MVP tore his Achilles on April 11, 2025, a year and eleven days ago.<\/p>\n

Boston Celtics<\/a> star Jayson Tatum<\/a>, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last year, returned in roughly ten months.<\/p>\n

Given that Lillard is older than Tatum and suffered a full tear, he may be a bit delayed in his return.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJalyn Smoot<\/a> Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Blazers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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