“Lillard does not plan to play this season,” reported the Associated Press, confirming the Portland Trail Blazers’ star guard’s absence from the critical Play-In matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
Damian Lillard is officially listed as out for the game due to left Achilles injury management. This marks a significant moment for the Trail Blazers, who are entering the postseason without their franchise player for the first time since 2021. Lillard’s injury, which he sustained during Milwaukee’s first-round series against Indiana in late April 2025, has kept him sidelined since undergoing surgery in early May.
Despite his absence, Lillard made headlines earlier this season by participating in and winning the NBA 3-Point Contest during the All-Star Weekend, showcasing his talent even while managing his injury. However, the Trail Blazers had already anticipated that Lillard would be sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign, with reports indicating that he was not expected to return this postseason.
As the Trail Blazers face the Suns, the stakes are high; the winner will clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket. The current rotation has been adapting to life without Lillard, with the team focusing on maximizing their potential in his absence. “The current rotation can do without Dame, not about a surprise late rescue,” noted sources close to the team.
Looking ahead, the safer expectation is that Lillard’s real comeback target remains the 2026-27 season, not this postseason run. The Trail Blazers have left the door open for Lillard’s rehabilitation, stating they are willing to wait “as long as it takes” for him to recover fully.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Lillard’s return for any postseason games beyond the current injury report, leaving fans and analysts alike in suspense about his future. The uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline continues to loom over the franchise as they navigate the playoffs without their star player.
As the Trail Blazers prepare for their crucial matchup against the Suns, the absence of Damian Lillard serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by injuries in professional sports. The team will need to rally together and step up in his absence, hoping to secure a playoff spot despite the odds stacked against them.
