Bucks Waive Damian Lillard After Injury
The veteran guard joins the Portland Trail Blazers following a lost season due to an Achilles tear.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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The Milwaukee Bucks officially waived Damian Lillard in 2026 after he suffered a season-ending left Achilles tear. Lillard had missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to the injury sustained during the playoffs.
Why it matters
Lillard cited the distance from his family in Portland as a significant challenge during his time in Milwaukee. His departure concludes a difficult tenure for both the player and the organization.
Doc Rivers finished his stint as Milwaukee head coach with a 17-19 record, failing to surpass the 30-13 mark set by Adrian Griffin before his firing.
The players
Damian Lillard
He is a veteran NBA guard who previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Doc Rivers
He served as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and managed a 17-19 record during his tenure.
Adrian Griffin
He was the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and held a 30-13 record before his dismissal.
Mike Budenholzer
He formerly served as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks before being fired in 2023.
The details
Damian Lillard sustained his left Achilles tear during the first quarter of Game 4 in a first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. The injury effectively ended his Milwaukee tenure, leading to his release and subsequent signing with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Timeline
June 2023: Adrian Griffin is hired as head coach.
September 2023: Mike Budenholzer is fired.
2025: Lillard suffers a season-ending Achilles tear in the playoffs.
2026: The Milwaukee Bucks waive Damian Lillard.
October 21, 2026: Lillard returns to the court for the Trail Blazers.
Season Trajectory
The waiver of Damian Lillard brings a definitive close to the high-stakes roster experiment launched by the three-team trade that brought him to Milwaukee. His departure forces the team to pivot its competitive strategy after a tumultuous period defined by coaching changes and injury setbacks.
The Milwaukee Bucks must now navigate the salary cap implications of the buyout and the resulting vacancy in their backcourt rotation. Fantasy managers should note that Lillard is set to rejoin the Portland Trail Blazers lineup for the 2026-27 season opener on October 21.
The takeaway
Players moving to new markets often face personal challenges that can impact their on-court performance. Evaluating individual well-being remains a critical component of assessing long-term roster stability in professional sports.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Milwaukee Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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