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Damian Lillard is back in the gym

Damian Lillard has not played a game since injuring his Achilles tendon during last year’s NBA playoffs when he was still with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Many have changed since then. The Bucks released him in the offseason and signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, returning to the same franchise he led to multiple playoff appearances. 

Now, the Blazers find themselves in a solid position in the postseason, stealing a game on the road against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs to tie the series as they play on their home court for Games 3 and 4. 

But will Lillard play for them in the playoffs, considering his constant presence on the bench during the games? A report from Oregon Live suggests that the team has been open-minded about the Blazers legend’s return. 

“A source said Lillard is ‘close’ and that his return before the end of the postseason is ‘not impossible,’” the report said. “Any appearance would need to be in a later round or ‘deep, deep’ in the series against the Spurs. At a minimum, the team is being open-minded about the possibility.”

It has been almost a year since Lillard hurt his left Achilles tendon, well within the range of possible return to action. 

To put it into perspective, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum returned from a right Achilles tendon injury he picked up in the second round of the playoffs last year after just 10 months of recovery. 

Lillard would be injecting a much-needed offensive boost for the Blazers, as the team has relied on young stars Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija against the Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, who suffered from a concussion in Game 2. 

Extending the series could buy Lillard and the Blazers more time to plan out a possible return to the court. 

Blazers coach Tiago Splitter Says Team Would Respect Damian Lillard’s Plans

GettyTiago Splitter explains initial plan for Damian Lillard’s return.

Contrary to the Oregon Live report, Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said that the team will be respecting Damian Lillard’s injury timeline and is not pressuring him for a return this offseason. 

 “Dame is questionable. No, I’m kidding,” Splitter told reporters before the playoff started. “His head is on the next season. We’ve got to be serious about it. Of course, we joke around here and there, but he has a plan, and we all have to follow that.”

Lillard has been seen in numerous shooting drills over the past few months. He even participated in the All-Star weekend’s 3-point shootout, which he won for the third time. 

If he returns, Lillard is expected to come off the bench and would only play in spurts in the playoffs to slowly integrate his game back with the team. 

Blazers-Spurs Schedule: How Long Would This Series Last?

GettyThe Spurs and the Blazers clash in a close Round 1 encounter.

Now at 1-1, the series will shift to Portland for Game 3, which is scheduled for tip-off on Friday, April 24. Game 4 will then be on Sunday, April 26. 

At the minimum, this series could end in Game 5 in San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28. Game 6 would then be on April 30. 

A possible Lillard return in the first round would mean he has to be integrated into the team’s system within this week.

Game 7 would then be on May 2. The winner of this series will face the victor of the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.