Highlights from Damian Lillard's return to court, first game with Ja Morant

For the first time since April 27, 2025, Damian Lillard stepped on an NBA court on Wednesday night. He said it felt like home.

Lillard, coming off a torn left Achilles, played 19 minutes and finished with 15 points in his first game back — and his first game as a starting backcourt with Ja Morant. Those two found a little chemistry.

Ja ➡️ Dame

Morant saves the ball from going out of bounds and throws it to his new teammate cutting to the rim for the layup https://t.co/yjzquXRQMUpic.twitter.com/UWBV0dMLLi

— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2026

Lillard finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range.

Welcome back @Dame_Lillard

He posted 15 PTS, 3 3PM, & 2 STL in his return to action in Rip City, helping the @trailblazers clinch their first win of the NBA preseason! pic.twitter.com/kuAPk3fZcw

— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2026

Lillard said it felt like home.

"It felt like I was back where I belong... back home."@Dame_Lillard on what it meant to make his preseason return to Portland and the court! pic.twitter.com/rW7xhK7D5a

— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2026

Morant finished with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting and had five assists on the night. Both were working both on bal and off at times — especially Lillard — as Portland worked to run some of the offense through Deni Avdija, who had 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting in just 21 minutes on the court.

Scoot Henderson, who will be coming off the bench and in a new role for him, had his own highlight moment.

"GET THAT SCOOT!" https://t.co/6Gxmk4cS00pic.twitter.com/AMaAr9dCvh

— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2026