Some believed his career was over right then and there. Following a return home to the Portland Trail Blazers after a stop with the Milwaukee Bucks, the team posted a video that fans believe may tease a return.Just one day after their 106-103 win over the San Antonio Spurs, the team recorded Lillard coming out of the tunnel in street clothes and shooting around ahead of the team's homestand during Games 3 and 4.Here's everything you need to know about the video, and if this means Lillard is in fact returning to play.NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracketIs Damian Lillard coming back?On Wednesday afternoon, Portland posted a video of Lillard in street clothes walking on the Trail Blazers' home court and shooting around.

Many NBA fans began speculating if this meant the nine-time All-Star would be returning for the playoffs.👀 pic.twitter.com/1nJpn5QZgQ— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 22, 2026It remains unclear whether this means Lillard will return for their first round against the San Antonio Spurs. The team has yet to make a formal announcement regarding a potential return. For now, fans cannot assume he will be returning yet.

The Trail Blazers tied their first-round series at a game apiece with a narrow 106-103 win over San Antonio on Tuesday.Lillard is still listed on Portland's playoff roster, according to RealGM. He has been attending their playoff games on the bench and has not played professional basketball since Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers in last year's first round of the playoffs.MORE: What time and channel is Blazers vs. Spurs Game 3?What happened to Damian Lillard?Six minutes into Game 4 of the 2025 first round against the Pacers, Lillard fell to the floor after stretching to reach a loose ball.

Immediately, the NBA veteran grabbed the back of his lower left leg.Lillard had to be helped off the court by coaches and was unable to put pressure on that foot. It was later revealed as a torn Achilles tendon, which has one of the heftiest recovery timelines in all of sports.At the time, it was assumed that Lillard would be out for the remainder of the playoffs and a large portion, if not all, of the 2025-2026 NBA season. MORE: Is Victor Wembanyama playing in Game 3 with a concussion?Damian Lillard Achilles recovery timelineFor a high-intensity sport like basketball, torn Achilles injuries often take "at least eight to ten months, and up to twelve months" to fully recover, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.Players who tear or rupture their Achilles tendon may be less mobile than before, and run a risk of reinjury. Here are some other players who were sidelined with severe Achilles injuries and how long it took for them to return to play:Jayson Tatum (2025 Playoffs): ruptured Achilles, missed 10 monthsTyrese Haliburton (2025 Finals): ruptured Achilles, undergoing long-term rehabKevin Durant (2019 Finals): ruptured Achilles, missed 18 monthsMORE: A recap of Jayson Tatum's return timeline after rupturing his Achilles