Damian Lillard promises to ‘come back great’ following tragic Achilles injury

Damian Lillard will be out for at least a year after suffering an Achilles tear on his left foot in game 4 vs the Indiana Pacers.

Damian Lillard promises to ‘come back great’ following tragic Achilles injury

Damian Lillard

Losing Damian Lillard may prove to be the Milwaukee Bucks’ major undoing in their modern years. The team traded for the Portland superstar in the summer of 2023 in order to extend their championship window.

Since then, they have also traded away Khris Middleton, who was instrumental to their 2021 NBA ring. Dame’s year-long absence means that they have no player worthy of being a second option to Giannis.

The 34-year-old suffered the tear early in their game against the Pacers at home. His contributions were crucial to their Game 3 win as Milwaukee managed to stave off a series sweep. However, they are battling elimination in his absence for a win-or-go-home Game 5 at Indianapolis. Speaking to Taylor Rooks ahead of the game, the NBA 75 member gave a glimpse into his rehab mindset.

As a disciple of Kobe Bryant‘s mindset, and having suffered the same injury as his idol, Lillard has refused to take the setback lying down. He believes he has every chance of coming back from the tear looking like an NBA star. According to Rooks, he minced no words while professing his faith.

I am not going out this way. I will be back, and I will be great.

Damian Lillard said, as Rooks reported from Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Since his advent in the league, Damian Lillard has been one of the NBA’s best playoff performers. Through 13 seasons, the diminutive point guard has compiled some legendary playoff moments. He has two buzzer-beating 3-pointers that ended opposing teams’ seasons. He gave Kevin Durant a ‘spiritual experience’ when he swished 12 3-pointers and tallied 55 points in the 2021 NBA playoffs against Denver.

Although Dame has been off color for the past couple of seasons, he averaged 32 points per game in 2022-23. He is one of the game’s greatest shooters ever from downtown, and can always be used as a spot-up option. His ability to create a jump shot for himself should largely be the same if he can make a comeback.

How does Damian Lillard’s injury compare to Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant

Damian Lillard suffered the Achilles tear on his non-dominant left foot. This makes his injury a little more bearable, even though he will still lose mobility and explosiveness. Players with Achilles’ tears on their dominant foot usually lose much more of their burst and athleticism. Kobe Bryant suffered this injury during his age-34 season, on his dominant foot.

Bryant, who was possibly an 85th-90th percentile athlete in his prime, was unable to return anywhere close to his peak effectiveness. Given that Lillard is a few inches shorter, he could conceivably lose even more of his athletic edge. But, being that his injury is to his left foot, his injury is a closer analogue to Kevin Durant‘s.

Durant missed the entirety of the 2019-20 NBA season with a left foot Achilles tear. He returned in ’20-21 and looked as efficient as ever. Even during the four seasons that have followed, KD has been one of the league’s best and most efficient scorers. Lillard will likely be targeting a return more in line with the 2013-14 NBA MVP. Durant projects to be a great shooter from every spot, and Lillard can play in a similar vein.

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