Damian Lillard Reportedly 'Optimistic' About 'Speedy Recovery' from Achilles Injury

Even though there's outside concern about Damian Lillard's status for the 2025-26 season after tearing his Achilles in the Milwaukee Bucks' Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, he is looking to make it back quicker than expected.

Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick, Lillard is "optimistic" about making a "speedy recovery" from the injury.

The Bucks confirmed on Monday that Lillard tore his Achilles and will undergo surgery.

This marked the second straight year that an Achilles injury forced Lillard to miss time in the playoffs, though last season's injury wasn't nearly as severe, with only a strain keeping him out for Games 4 and 5 against the Pacers.

NBA insider Chris Haynes said that Lillard is "motivated" to attack his rehab and return to his usual form.

Given when Lillard tore his Achilles and the typical timeframe other players have had in their recovery, there's a possibility he misses all of 2025-26.

The most famous example of a player who suffered a major Achilles injury late in one season and returned the following year was Kobe Bryant. He tore his Achilles in April 2013 and returned to game action eight months later.

More recently, though, teams have been cautious to rush players back. Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant both missed the 2019-20 season after suffering Achilles tears in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Lillard is the same age (34) as Bryant when his Achilles injury occurred. Missing a full season would mean he doesn't play again until he is 36 years old.

Injuries are starting to pile up for Lillard, who just completed his 13th NBA season. The nine-time All-Star started 58 games this season, marking the third time in the last four years he has played in fewer than 60 games.

Lillard averaged 24.9 points on 37.6 percent three-point shooting, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in 58 appearances for the Bucks.