Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard hasn't appeared in a single game for the Portland Trail Blazers this season. That's because the iconic guard is actively recovering from an Achilles tear suffered late last season while he was still a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. From Portland's perspective, this makes sense with a franchise legend.
So, then why is Lillard participating in Saturday night's NBA 3-Point Contest? Does that mean the two-time winner (2023 and 2024) will actually return to play for the Trail Blazers after the All-Star break?
That's doubtful.
According to Lillard, in a story from The Athletic's Jason Quick, the Trail Blazers talisman is not rushing his recovery, despite how that may appear right now. He will, in fact, not return to play this year. He's simply healthy enough to participate in a jump-shooting contest with no physicality or contact. His thought process in participating in the 3-Point Contest is one purely borne of trying to save All-Star Weekend as a big name.
Uh, good luck with that.
“If I [Lillard] was 23, 24, 25, I probably would be more (competitive) about who is doing what, but I know where I am physically. I can feel it. I’m on the court every day, and to me, it’s not about what [Jayson Tatum] is doing. After the season, I’m going into a full summer to get ready for next season, and I want to make sure that I’m 1,000 percent and that I can play every year for the rest of my career as the best version of myself. So, I’m not in a hurry, especially knowing that I’ve got time. That’s the game I’m playing.”
Well, that's a bummer, but it is understandable. We'll just have to enjoy what short glimpse we get of Lillard during the 3-Point Contest, knowing we'll likely get him every other night starting next season.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Damian Lillard injury update: Is Trail Blazers star playing this year?