Damian Lillard Opens Up After First Game Back in Portland

Damian Lillard was feeling all the feels after being back in Portland since being traded and he even discussed where he would like to end his career.

Lillard’s new team, the Bucks, lost 119-116 to the Blazers on Wednesday night but before the defeat, Dame was reflecting on his time there fondly.

So much so that he spoke about retiring there when the time comes.

“Because of how I feel about Portland… my time that I’ve spent here. In my mind, that’s where I always felt that my career would end,” Lillard told ESPN.

Before the game, the Blazers showed two tribute videos of Dame – one for his contribution to the team and one for his community service.

He also received a one minute standing ovation from the crowd.

Despite the loss, Lillard recorded 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists, as well as an impressive dunk during his homecoming.

“These types of games where there’s a lot of meaning and lot of emotion, these are always fun,” Lillard said after the game. “These games have a little bit more juice in them. That’s what tonight was. It was an entertaining game.”

Lillard was asked if the game brought him closure with a franchise he gave his all to for 11 seasons.

“My relationship to the city and the fans here, the organization, it’s never ending,” Lillard told The Athletic. “I don’t look at it as closure or anything like that, I just know that it’s something that doesn’t happen often. To come into a city as a draft pick, to be able to have so many accomplishments, to have a good relationship with the fans, a good relationship with the organization, to experience a lot of success. … It’s going to be a huge part of my legacy and what I’ve been able to accomplish as a man, as an athlete.”

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