On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in the Pacific Northwest, gearing up for a showdown against the Portland Trail Blazers. This particular game carries emotional weight as it marks Damian Lillard’s initial return to Portland since his off-season trade to the Bucks.
Speaking to reporters before the game, Lillard openly acknowledged the sentimental aspect of being back in the city where he spent a significant portion of his career. When asked about the possibility of a future return to the Trail Blazers, Lillard confessed that he envisions a day when he puts on the team’s uniform again.
Expressing his deep connection to Portland and the time invested there, Lillard stated, “Because of how I feel about Portland… my time that I’ve spent here. In my mind, that’s where I always felt that my career would end,” as reported by Jamal Collier of ESPN.
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Having spent 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers after being selected as the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, the 33-year-old Lillard holds the distinction of being the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. His impressive tenure includes seven All-Star team selections.
The Bucks and Blazers previously faced off in November at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where Lillard contributed 31 points in a 108–102 Bucks victory. Now, the stage is set for Lillard’s return to the Moda Center, the stadium he considered home for over a decade.
Reflecting on this poignant moment, Lillard shared, “I’m not going to cry or anything like that. But I’m also not going to hide the emotion because it’s a moment that means a lot to me and a lot of other people,” as conveyed by Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report.
