Bucks' Damian Lillard Expects Return to Portland for Blazers Game to Be 'Emotional'

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard believes his return to Portland, where the seven-time All-NBA player spent the first 11 seasons of his pro career, will be "emotional" as he prepares for a road game against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday evening.

"I think it will be emotional because I care," Lillard said, per Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.

"I loved playing in Portland. I loved living there and still live there. I'm not like a big crier. I don't think I'll be crying, and all of that. But I care. Everything I ever said about my time in Portland playing there, I meant that s--t. So, yeah, it will be."

Portland selected Lillard with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He enjoyed a tremendous career in Portland, highlighted by seven All-Star nods and eight straight playoff appearances, including a spot in the 2019 Western Conference Finals.

Last summer, Lillard issued a trade request, which was eventually granted when the Blazers sent him to the Bucks in late September.

As Lillard noted, he loved playing in Portland but saw the need to move on with the team not in place to win a championship.

"The Blazers just weren't in a time where winning a championship was possible or what was able to be done at the time," Lillard said. "While I'm my best self, I want to be able to play for that."

Portland had missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, while Milwaukee is just a few seasons removed from its last championship. With Giannis Antetokounmpo aboard, the Bucks should always be in a position to fight for a title.

So Lillard has moved on to Milwaukee, which is currently second in the East. Lillard still has deep ties to Portland, though, especially with his family still living there right now.

"My excitement isn't all about playing against the Blazers," Lillard said. "It's more about having my kids there and my family there and just being able to go home. And I'm excited to play in front of the fans and to see everybody."

Lillard notably left Denver, where the Bucks lost to the Nuggets on Monday evening, on a private flight earlier than the rest of his team so he could spend more time with his three children.

Tipoff in Portland's Moda Center is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.

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