PORTLAND, Ore. — Upon returning to Portland, Damian Lillard received an enthusiastic reception when the Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday evening.
Lillard, who dedicated 11 seasons to the Blazers and earned the affection of both fans and the local community, was met with thunderous applause during the pre-game announcements at the Moda Center.
Prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, he was traded to the Bucks. This match marked his second visit back to Portland with Milwaukee; the first occurred last January, where the emerging Blazers earned a narrow victory with a score of 119-116.
Lillard continues to have a home and family in Portland, and on Tuesday, he shared a moment on Instagram where he dropped off his son at school, who was clad in a Bucks jersey.
“It’s always exciting to face off against Damian, particularly here at home. It’s going to remain significant as long as he’s actively playing,” commented Blazers coach Chauncey Billups before the game. “I’m sure he shares the same sentiment. His importance to this city endures and will forever be recognized.”
In the Blazers’ 125-112 victory, Lillard scored 20 points. Since Lillard’s trade, Portland holds a 3-1 advantage over the Bucks.
“As a competitor, I aim to win every time, but in this circumstance, I clearly want to secure a win here,” Lillard reflected. “However, since I played for Chauncey, I know he won’t let me have it easy.”
Last season with Portland, Lillard made headlines by averaging 32.2 points per game, becoming only the seventh player in NBA history to surpass 70 points in a single game with a remarkable 71 points against the Houston Rockets. Nevertheless, during his time with the Blazers, the team secured just four playoff series wins, reaching the Western Conference Finals on only one occasion.
An eight-time All-Star, Lillard is currently averaging 25.5 points and 7.3 assists this season with the Bucks. Earlier this month, the two teams clashed in Milwaukee, with the Blazers winning 105-102.
