Lillard Scores 15 in Trail Blazers Return

Damian Lillard scored 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three, with two steals in 19 minutes as Portland beat Golden State 123-118 at Moda Center on Oct. 7, 2026, his first game since rupturing his left Achilles tendon in a 2025 playoff series with Milwaukee. After about 16 months of rehab he signed a three-year, $42 million deal with Portland in July 2025; the Blazers reacquired him from Memphis in June 2026 for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. He spent his first 11 NBA seasons in Portland after being drafted sixth overall in 2012. Ja Morant had 8 points, 5 assists, 2 steals and 4 turnovers in 19 minutes in his Blazers debut. Portland erased an 86-86 tie after three quarters to win by five. Lillard said hearing a TV pundit claim his career was over “just kind of turned me up” and that it felt like he was “back where I belong. Back home.” Morant said the adjustment is tough because he feels like a natural point guard and is not selfish. Lillard said he does not think he needs to kill himself playing 35 to 37 regular-season minutes if unnecessary, with Portland listing four point guards. Head coach Micah Nori has targeted a top-four Western Conference seed.