Damian Lillard Fires Back at Harsh Criticism of Bucks Tenure, Says Injuries and Unfair Expectations Clouded Public Perception of Performance

Damian Lillard has never been one to shy away from scrutiny. Whether it’s taking the last shot in a playoff game or defending his decisions off the court, he’s carried himself with a rare brand of confidence and accountability. But after two tumultuous years with the Milwaukee Bucks, the veteran guard has found himself in an unfamiliar position: defending a chapter of his career that, despite personal success, was widely labeled as a disappointment. In a recent candid interview, Lillard pushed back against what he called “unfair” criticism surrounding his stint with the Bucks, calling out the narrative that he failed to live up to expectations and emphasizing that the context of his time in Milwaukee has often been ignored.

Lillard’s arrival in Milwaukee in the blockbuster trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland was viewed as the final piece for a Bucks team already considered a title contender. Pairing the perennial All-Star with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to create one of the league’s most formidable duos. And to some extent, it did—at least on paper. In his first season with the Bucks, Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. He was named an All-Star and, in a dazzling performance, captured the 2024 All-Star Game MVP. Still, for all of Lillard’s individual brilliance, the Bucks stumbled. Injuries mounted, chemistry issues emerged, and Milwaukee was bounced from the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

By July 2025, following a devastating Achilles tear that ended his second season prematurely, the Bucks waived Lillard in a cost-cutting move aimed at retooling the roster. For many critics, the conclusion was easy: the Lillard experiment had failed. But for Lillard, that assessment glosses over the reality of what he endured—and contributed—during his time in Milwaukee. “People said I wasn’t the same, but I gave everything,” Lillard said. “Every time I stepped on the court, I played through pain, adjusted my game, and tried to make it work. That doesn’t just disappear because we didn’t win a championship.”

In a league that rarely shows patience, especially when it comes to high-profile players and superteams, Lillard believes the expectations placed on the Bucks were a double-edged sword. “The moment we linked up, it was title or bust,” he noted. “I understood that. But people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes. Giannis missed time. I missed time. We never really had a stretch where we were healthy, clicking, and building momentum. And even with that, we were still one of the top teams in the East for most of the regular season.”

The 2024 playoffs were especially painful for Lillard. Battling a nagging groin injury, he suited up for every game in the series but clearly wasn’t at full strength. Giannis, meanwhile, missed the entire series with a calf strain. Without their two stars operating at peak levels, Milwaukee couldn’t keep pace with a hungry, younger team and exited in five games. The following season followed a similar script. Strong regular-season play, flashes of dominance, and then a postseason collapse. But this time, Lillard didn’t even get the chance to compete. His Achilles injury came just weeks before the playoffs, dashing any hope of a redemption arc.

“I’ve dealt with injuries before, but this one was different,” Lillard said, referring to the Achilles tear. “It was the first time I really had to come to terms with the idea that I might not be able to control my narrative anymore.” That notion—of losing control—seems to weigh heavily on Lillard, a player known for his deliberate approach to both his career and his public image. For over a decade in Portland, he was the face of the franchise, beloved by fans and respected by peers for his loyalty and clutch performances. In Milwaukee, he was cast in a new role: co-star, outsider, and ultimately, scapegoat.

Now back with the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal, Lillard is embracing the chance to return to familiar surroundings and regain his form. While the Blazers are in the midst of a rebuild, the move represents more than a homecoming—it’s a chance for Lillard to write his own ending. “Coming back to Portland wasn’t about nostalgia,” he explained. “It’s about purpose. I still have something to prove. People think I’m done. That just fuels me more.”

Recovery from an Achilles injury is notoriously difficult, especially for a guard who relies on quickness and explosiveness. But Lillard is confident in his rehabilitation process and insists that he’s making steady progress. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to come back from physically,” he admitted. “But mentally, I’m sharper than I’ve ever been. I know how to prepare. I know how to adapt my game. I’m not trying to be the same player I was at 27. I’m trying to be the best version of who I am now.”

When asked whether he has any regrets about his time in Milwaukee, Lillard paused before answering. “No regrets,” he said. “I wish it had gone differently. I wish we could’ve made a deeper run, stayed healthy, shown the world what we were capable of. But I don’t regret it. I learned a lot. I grew a lot. Sometimes things don’t go how you envision, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t worth it.”

Lillard’s reflections also touched on the broader culture of criticism in today’s NBA, where players are often judged solely by championships. “It’s like if you don’t win it all, you’re a failure,” he said. “That’s not real life. We put everything into this game—hours of work, sacrifice, pain—and sometimes it doesn’t end with a ring. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t meaningful.”

His message to the critics is clear: take a closer look. “If you actually watched the games, if you saw what I was dealing with physically, what we were trying to navigate as a team, you’d know I was still playing at a high level. I was still making an impact.”

That impact is something Lillard is determined to showcase once more in Portland. Surrounded by a younger roster and a fan base that has never stopped supporting him, he believes he can still contribute in a major way, both on and off the court. “I’ve been through a lot, but I’m not broken. I still have the love for the game. I still have that fire.”

At 35, Lillard knows the window to win a championship is narrowing, but he’s not consumed by that goal the way others might be. “Of course, I want to win. That’s always been the goal. But now, I’m more focused on doing things the right way, being a leader, and making sure I give everything I’ve got. If that leads to a title, great. If not, I’ll still be able to look back and say I stayed true to who I am.”

For Lillard, staying true has always been the priority. Whether it was staying loyal to Portland for the first 11 years of his career, speaking out when others stayed silent, or refusing to take shortcuts, he’s built a legacy on authenticity. And even though his time in Milwaukee may not have ended the way he—or fans—hoped, he’s not letting that define him. “It was a chapter. Not the whole story,” he said. “I’m still writing the rest.”

That rest of the story will unfold back in the city where it all began, with a player who’s older, wiser, and perhaps more motivated than ever. Damian Lillard is not done. And if he has his way, the next chapter will leave no room for doubt.