Portland Blazers veteran Damian Lillard's comeback season is officially underway after a 124-83 blowout victory against the Phoenix Suns got things started the right way in their season opener. Lillard started alongside Ja Morant in the backcourt as Portland debuted it new starting duo. Damian led with 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting, including six threes, six assists, three rebounds, and one steal in the 41-point win.
After missing the entire 2025-26 season, Lillard picked up right where he left off as one of the NBA's elite scoring guards, which didn't come as a surprise he said, per Oh No You Didn't X, formerly Twitter.
“I felt like I've been saying, you know? I give a lot of credit to the people that invested their time, late nights, early mornings,” Lillard said. “Chris Girona, Eric Maida, Sam Aaron, Hank Hibbler; everybody that took the time when I was trying to be here before practice. 6 AM. Whatever the case may be. We did the work. The preparation was there. So, once it came time to do what I've always done, it was just a matter of if my body would be there for me. We checked every box, and I was ready to go. I felt great and I did what I do.”
Article Continues BelowDamian Lillard thanking those who helped him get back for this moment tonight: pic.twitter.com/BZZ9XYwJb0
— Oh No He Didn't 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) October 22, 2026
Damian Lillard returned to the team he spent the first 11 of his 13-year career playing for in the Blazers, who reunited with the nine-time All-Star in their trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025. After beating the Suns, Lillard showed his appreciation to everyone who helped him make his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury after his 2026-27 season debut.
Lillard and the Blazers will face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.