Sept. 27, 2023, will go down as one of the most significant dates in Portland Trail Blazers history as the day general manager Joe Cronin traded Damian Lillard, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and most beloved figure, to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lillard trade put an end to a months-long saga, bringing center Deandre Ayton to Portland by way of the Phoenix Suns, along with guard Jrue Holiday from Milwaukee. It’s only a matter of time until the Blazers reroute Holiday and expand their pool of assets, continuing to build for the future around a core of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and now Ayton.
As Portland fans look back fondly on Lillard’s time as a Blazer, they’ll surely begin to wonder when he’ll come back to Moda Center for what will be an exceptionally emotional return, and that begs the question: Do the Milwaukee Bucks play in Portland this season?
When will Damian Lillard return to Portland as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks?
The Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks play each other twice during the 2023-24 season.
Dame will face his old team for the first time on Nov. 26 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
He’ll make his return to Portland on Jan. 31, 2024, as the Bucks and Blazers play at Moda Center, with a 7 p.m. PT tip-off.
Dame can surely expect nothing but love from Blazers fans when he arrives back in Portland – even if he’s wearing a different jersey.