Damian Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in the first round of the 2025 play-offs while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, and exactly 56 days later Tyrese Haliburton suffered the same devastating injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. After lengthy rehabilitation, both stars are back on court on the same evening, live on NBA TV. In his comeback game, Haliburton's Indiana Pacers host Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and the Minnesota Timberwolves in pre-season.
Lillard revealed that on the night of his injury, television pundits were already talking about the end of his career, which gave him extra motivation throughout his rehabilitation. The Portland Trail Blazers veteran takes on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in his first game back with the club, determined to prove his class once again.
