For the first time since April, Damian Lillard was back at Fiserv Forum — and the Milwaukee Bucks gave him a warm welcome.
At their Nov. 24 game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Bucks paid tribute to their former All-Star guard during the first timeout, introducing him and playing a video with highlights from his tenure in Milwaukee.
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In response, the crowd gave Lillard a standing ovation — and he stood and acknowledged the crowd.
Lillard spent two seasons with the Bucks, arriving in a 2023 offseason trade with the Trail Blazers.
While Bucks general manager Jon Horst acquired Lillard to pair him with fellow superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and contend for an NBA title, both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons ended with first-round playoff losses.
Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in an April 27 playoff game with Indiana. Out for the entire 2025-26 season while rehabbing the injury, he was waived by the Bucks in July. That made him a free agent and he re-signed with Portland, where he had spent the first 11 years of his career.
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Before the game, Lillard connected with the also-injured Antetokounmpo — and got in a few shots during pregame warmups.
More: Damian Lillard reflects on Bucks tenure: Injuries, favorite moments, playing with Giannis
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Damian Lillard gets warm welcome, video tribute at Bucks game
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