In a candid interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in late July 2025, Damian Lillard offered a poignant and revealing look back at his two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. His reflections cast a spotlight on what could have been—a partnership of superstars hindered by misfortune.
Injuries: The Unseen Opponent
Lillard didn’t shy away from calling out the elephant in the room: injuries. He deemed them the “biggest hurdle” to the Bucks realizing their championship potential. Both years were marred by debilitating setbacks for the team’s elite. In the 2023–24 playoffs, Giannis missed the entire first round due to a calf injury, while Lillard suffered an Achilles injury in Game 3, sitting out two crucial matchups. In 2025, the script repeated itself—Lillard ruptured his Achilles early in Game 4, effectively ending his postseason run .
“If you’re not healthy and not playing your best at the right time… we just had bad luck,” Lillard remarked, underscoring how timing and circumstance deprived the duo of their full potential .
Dominant Duo, Quiet Result
Despite the frustrations, Lillard was proud of the statistical success he shared with Giannis. The pair ranked as the NBA’s highest-scoring duo during their time together. Lillard held strong numbers—averaging 25 points and 7 assists per game—while blending his elite production with another superstar sharing ball duties .
Importantly, they also captured the NBA Cup in December 2024, a highlight that Lillard viewed as validation of their true potential when healthy .
The “Luxury” of the Giannis Experience
Lillard looked back on teaming with Giannis Antetokounmpo as nothing short of a luxury. In his words:
> “It was a great experience … the luxury of playing with a player as great as him. … As a tandem, we can go out here and we can actually … combine and beat anybody.”
He admired Giannis’s competitive drive and shared commitment to preparation and toughness, calling it special to have someone on the same page .
A Final Word on the Numbers
Lillard defended his individual performance under scrutiny:
> “How many other people have averaged 25 a game with seven assists as the No. 1 option, let alone playing with somebody like Giannis? … It’s been viewed unfairly.”
Despite comparisons to his Portland days, he emphasized that his productivity remained elite—even when not the lone focal point.
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Closing Thoughts
Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee chapter ended with his contract being stretched and waived in July 2025, as the Bucks moved to reshape their roster—most notably signing Myles Turner .
Though curtailed by injuries and unmet championship expectations, Lillard’s words reflect respect and appreciation. He walks away with pride in his performance, gratitude for sharing the court with a generational talent, and a firm belief in what they could have achieved together.
