Blazers fans react to Lillard's Portland return: 'Get your ring then come back home'
![Damian Lillard (center), Milwaukee Bucks Damian Lillard (center), Milwaukee Bucks](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4993,h_2808,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/34/01hnjc1a62ar27rs9ja9.jpg)
On any other night, the Portland Trail Blazers beating a Milwaukee Bucks team fielding its entire starting lineup would be huge news. But it wasn't any other night, because one of those Bucks starters was Damian Lillard, and it was the first time he was coming back home. To Portland.
The win still means something. It was the Blazers' best victory of the season. Anfernee Simons hit the game-winner. Scoot Henderson was the best player on the floor for a stretch during the first half. Portland has won back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season and is 5-5 in its last 10.
But it was a Damian Lillard celebration. The franchise's most beloved player returned to Moda Center for the first time since being traded to Milwaukee last offseason. Blazers fans in attendance witnessed a win, sure; but they got to show Dame how much they love him .
Trail Blazers fans react to Damian Lillard's return to Portland
It looked like a playoff atmosphere inside the arena (which actually makes the win even more impressive).
There were four standing ovations for Dame. One during warmups, one during player introductions and two more during a pair of tribute videos:
Portland showing love to Damian Lillard. đź‘Ź
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 1, 2024
pic.twitter.com/hb81BgRP18
Damian Lillard tribute video following 1st timeout of the game pic.twitter.com/80l0Mj874H
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) February 1, 2024
This one was especially cool:
Here’s the Damian Lillard tribute video from the Blazers🥲 pic.twitter.com/AnjyVh1NGQ
— NBA Muse (@NBAMuseAcc) February 1, 2024
Blazers Twitter shows Lillard love
Of course X (we have to do the "formerly Twitter" thing), had plenty of fan reactions from those who couldn't make it to the game.
There were some emotional ones:
If you're a sports fan, I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to have an athlete matter as much to you as Damian Lillard matters to Rip City. https://t.co/hhkScZVUf4
— ian karmel (@IanKarmel) February 1, 2024
I don’t think people with no connection to Portland fully understand what Damian Lillard has meant to Trail Blazers fans.
— Dia Miller (@diandraann) February 1, 2024
For a decade he was the pulse of #ripcity
The game at Moda Center tonight isn’t just a return, it’s a home coming.
There were some funny ones:
DAMIAN LILLARD FOREVER pic.twitter.com/63YHa7rkFn
— COURT$IDE KEV (@KEVNDU) February 1, 2024
You know who would be a great target for the Trail Blazers before the deadline?
— Dia Miller (@diandraann) February 1, 2024
Damian Lillard.
Scoot/Ayton having these kinds of nights and the Heat losing 7 in a row?
— Danny Marang (@DannyMarang) January 30, 2024
Blazers fans: pic.twitter.com/xllyngTc4D
Disclaimer: That one has nothing to do with Dame at all but it was awesome.
Some about poor Brooke Lopez:
Brook Lopez single handily ruined an all-time NBA moment
— Blazers Palace (@blazers_palace) February 1, 2024
READ THE ROOM pic.twitter.com/CKEfuvqT6t
4th quarter, down 1, 10 seconds left with an open Damian Lillard on the wing…
— Sam Voss (@vosssr32) February 1, 2024
Brook Lopez: pic.twitter.com/UPQn8Vs17G
And the one that best sums up what the night was really about:
This made me 🥺♥️ https://t.co/hegnYD8UNb
— Brooke Olzendam (@brookeolzendam) February 1, 2024
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