On a tense Sunday night, Damian Lillard was carried off the court due to a devastating season-ending Achilles injury, sending shock waves through more than just the NBA playoff bracket. Over 2,000 miles from Milwaukee, the impact of Lillard's injury reverberated throughout Portland, a city that still cherishes its former star. As students arrived at HB Lee Middle School on Monday morning, seventh-grade teacher Sunil Schauffler noted a palpable sense of sadness among them. He anticipated the somber mood, as he himself was feeling down about the news.
At Big's Chicken in Southeast Portland, a server was visibly shaken during their shift. Meanwhile, at Palomar restaurant in Northwest Portland, a chef expressed doubt about continuing to watch the remaining NBA playoffs. Over at Back to the Basket sports apparel in the Hawthorne district, the shop owner stood beneath a mural of Lillard, contemplating whether this shocking injury could somehow lead him back to Portland. The emotional fallout from Lillard's injury was felt deeply across the city, where his legacy remains strong.
“I’ve been discussing this all day with my students,” Schauffler shared. “Damian Lillard still means so much to this city. The students are all so sad. These are middle school kids—they don’t usually express emotions about sports, but this was the first thing they mentioned this morning: ‘Did you hear? Did you hear?’” Schauffler seized this moment to educate his students about the concept of legacy, explaining how Lillard’s impact differs from that of other players who have come and gone.
“We had a discussion about why his legacy is different,” Schauffler continued. “Others, like Clyde Drexler, left and it was almost a shrug. But when Dame left, we all still cared. That’s what we call a living legacy.” Portland has never rooted for another NBA city like it has for Milwaukee, especially in the wake of Lillard’s trade request in 2023. Despite being away for two seasons, Portland continues to support him wholeheartedly.
“He was something for us all to latch onto, honestly,” said Ricky Bella, 34, the chef and owner of Palomar. “He was our closest shot at celebrating a championship. We all knew that we probably weren’t going to win it all, but it was like, ‘Look how good Dame is!’” At Big's Chicken, Matt Csejtey was behind the counter when he saw the news about Lillard’s injury flash on the screen. “I was bummed … really bummed out,” he admitted. “He’s been a backbone of this city for so long, and I think we’ve all been rooting for him. Now, he’s going to be out for another year. I feel really bad for him.”
Portland is a city that craves a connection with its athletes, and with Lillard, they found a reflection of themselves. He embodied the underdog spirit: undersized, overlooked early in his career, and tirelessly grinding through seasons with teams that were good enough to reach the playoffs but never quite made it to the championship stage. “I’ve thought about this a lot: he is what Portland is,” Schauffler reflected. “An upstart kid from a small school, not heavily recruited. Portland gets behind that. We’re not a big city, and we’re never going to have the allure of the Lakers or the Celtics. So every small victory means a lot to us, and that’s exactly what Dame represented.”
Lillard cultivated this connection by consistently demonstrating his commitment and appreciation for Portland. He lived in the city year-round and often spoke of his dreams of a championship parade in downtown. His uniform choice—a number that represented the letter "O"—symbolized his pride in being part of the community. “We were one of the three O's,” said Troy Douglass, owner of Back to the Basket, which features a mural of Lillard on its storefront. “It was inspiring to see a player who genuinely wanted to be in Portland.”
When Lillard famously shouted “Rip Ciiiiiiiiity!” after a last-second shot against Houston in 2014, he cemented his status as a local legend. His unforgettable 37-foot buzzer-beater that eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 playoffs made him immortal in the eyes of Portland fans. Although Lillard requested a trade in the summer of 2023, he was met with understanding rather than anger. When he was traded to Milwaukee, the sting was softened by the prospect of him teaming up with Giannis Antetokounmpo for a championship run.
“When he left, I totally got it,” Bella remarked. “I was never mad. As much as I’m a die-hard fan, I understood his choice. Milwaukee became my second favorite team.” Lillard was more than just a player; he was an era in the lives of many Portland residents, intertwined with significant moments in their lives. Bella recalled starting his first job as a chef during Lillard’s rookie season, while Douglass launched his business after Lillard wore one of his hats during a pivotal playoff moment.
Patrick McKee, the owner and chef at Estes Ristorante, reminisced about a dinner he hosted in 2022, where Lillard personally thanked each chef for their contributions. “That moment reinforced my belief that Portland had fallen in love with a different caliber of star,” McKee shared. Lillard’s humility shone through when he remarked about the true pressures of life, emphasizing that real pressure is faced by single parents and blue-collar workers. “That quote really resonated with me,” McKee said. “It showed me that Lillard sees the bigger picture beyond sports.”
Late Sunday night, when Lillard collapsed on the court in Milwaukee, there was a collective groan across Portland. With the Blazers’ season already over, the hope for the playoffs now hinged on the city’s favorite son. As students at HB Lee Middle School grappled with the news, Schauffler admitted he felt emotional. “I’m not usually one to cry over sports, but last night was the closest I’ve come since we blew a lead to the Lakers in the 2000 Western Conference finals,” he shared. “This was about one individual, not a team. I didn’t care if Milwaukee won; I just wanted Dame to win. And now, I’m left wondering if that will ever happen.”
