Damian Lillard 2025: Injury, Contract, Divorce & Return

Damian Lillard has always been the kind of player who defines a franchise. But the last two years brought a torn Achilles, a divorce filing, and a surprising return to Portland. As of July 2025, Lillard is reportedly finalizing a three‑year, $42 million deal with the Trail Blazers, according to Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports).

Current team (2025): Portland Trail Blazers ·
Contract signed July 2025: 3 years, $42 million ·
2024‑25 regular‑season games played: 58 ·
Injury: Torn left Achilles (April 27, 2025) ·
Divorce filed: October 2, 2023

What has happened to Damian Lillard?

2025 return to Trail Blazers

After being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in July 2025, Lillard quickly moved back to the franchise he spent his first 11 seasons with. A July 17 report from Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports) said Lillard was finalizing a three‑year, $42 million contract that includes a no‑trade provision. USA Today (national sports outlet) confirmed the no‑trade clause.

Contract details and timeline

The deal runs through the 2027‑28 season, with Lillard expected to miss the entire 2025‑26 campaign while recovering from Achilles surgery. The Milwaukee Bucks / NBA.com (team medical update) stated that Lillard underwent surgery after the April 27 injury and would be sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs. His return is tentatively set for October 1, 2026, per RotoWire (fantasy sports analyst).

Why did Damian Lillard’s wife leave him?

Kayla Hanson divorce filing

Kay’la Hanson (also known as Kay’la Lillard) filed for divorce on October 2, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The filing, reported by People (celebrity news outlet), cited irreconcilable differences and an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The exact cause has not been made public. The couple were married in 2021 and have two children together.

Public statements and reports

Neither Lillard nor Hanson has spoken publicly about the split beyond the legal filing. A 2025 Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports) piece noted that the divorce resurfaced in online discussion during the renewed attention on Lillard’s career, but no new details emerged.

How long is Damian Lillard out?

Achilles injury timeline

Lillard suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the first‑round playoff series against Indiana on April 27, 2025. The Milwaukee Bucks / NBA.com (team medical update) announced the next day that he would miss the remainder of the playoffs and undergo surgery. FOX Sports (sports broadcaster injury log) logged an additional Achilles‑related entry on September 25, 2025, suggesting a setback or continued issues.

Recovery and return to play

A February 2026 report from Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports) said Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025‑26 season. RotoWire (fantasy sports analyst) gives an estimated return date of October 1, 2026. That timeline means Lillard could miss about 18 months of game action.

Injury date: April 27, 2025 ·
Games missed (2024‑25): 24 (rest of playoffs) ·
Projected return: October 1, 2026

Why did the Bucks waive Lillard?

Trade and waiver details

Lillard was traded to the Bucks in a blockbuster deal before the 2023‑24 season. After one and a half seasons, the Bucks waived him in early July 2025. Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports) linked the move to salary‑cap relief and Lillard’s long injury recovery timeline.

Bucks decision rationale

Milwaukee was facing a luxury‑tax crunch and Lillard’s $45 million salary for 2025‑26 was fully guaranteed. With the Achilles injury projected to keep him out all season, the Bucks chose to waive him rather than pay a non‑playing star. The waiver allowed Portland to sign him at a lower figure while Lillard still receives his guaranteed money offset by the new contract.

The USA Today (national sports outlet) report added that the no‑trade clause in Lillard’s new deal suggests he wanted control over any future moves – a signal that the Bucks’ decision was not a mutual parting.

Does Damian Lillard have custody of his children?

Custody arrangement

Custody details are private. People (celebrity news outlet) reported that the divorce filing did not include a public custody agreement, and no court order has been made available. Both Lillard and Hanson have maintained silence on the arrangement.

Legal filings

The divorce case is sealed in Multnomah County, Oregon, which is standard for cases involving minor children. No public record of a custody hearing or decision exists. Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports) confirmed the divorce resurfaced in 2025 but added no new legal information.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the court with the Trail Blazers and finishing my career where it started.”

– Damian Lillard, in a statement reported by USA Today (national sports outlet)

“The contract is a sign of mutual trust – Portland believes in his recovery, and Lillard wants to be there.”

– Chris Haynes, NBA reporter, via Yahoo Sports (NBA insider reports)

The pattern is clear: Lillard’s career arc now hinges on a single tendon. For the Trail Blazers, the bet is that a healed Lillard still commands double‑teams. For Lillard, the choice is to prove he can return from an injury that has ended many guards’ primes. With a projected return in October 2026, Portland will be waiting – but the clock is ticking.