NBA Comeback Watch: Lillard, Haliburton and Irving Headline Stars Returning in 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is set to feature several major comeback stories, with Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton and Kyrie Irving among a group of stars preparing to return after lengthy injury absences.

Lillard has not played since tearing his left Achilles with Milwaukee during the 2025 playoffs. After missing last season, the 36-year-old is preparing to play again for Portland, the franchise that drafted him in 2012. He averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in 2024-25 and will now share the Trail Blazers’ backcourt with Ja Morant.

Morant is another player seeking a fresh start after missing 62 games last season because of a left elbow injury. Memphis subsequently traded the two-time All-Star to Portland.

Indiana will welcome back Haliburton after he tore his right Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and sat out the entire following season.

“I can pretty much say I’m back at this point. I feel like I’m back in shape, but there’s a difference between being in shape and being in Tyrese Haliburton shape,” Haliburton said on his YouTube channel.

Dallas, meanwhile, are awaiting the return of Irving, who tore his left ACL in March 2025. The nine-time All-Star was averaging 24.7 points before the injury.

Other contenders are also hoping returning veterans can provide a major lift. Jimmy Butler is working his way back from the right ACL tear that ended his 2025-26 campaign with Golden State, while Fred VanVleet is set to rejoin Houston after missing an entire season with the same injury.

Washington could receive significant help from Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Young managed only 15 appearances last season because of knee, quad and back problems, while Davis played 20 games before a left-hand ligament injury ended his campaign.

Sacramento are looking forward to having Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine available again. Sabonis missed 63 games following a torn right meniscus, while LaVine underwent surgery on his shooting hand.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is also preparing for a fuller first season with Utah after playing only three games for the Jazz following his trade from Memphis.

Elsewhere, Zach Edey will attempt to rebuild momentum with Memphis after multiple ankle procedures and elbow surgery limited him to 11 games last season.

Walker Kessler completes the group of notable returnees. After missing Utah’s final 77 games with a torn left shoulder labrum, the 7-foot-2 center was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in July and will enter the new season as an important part of their frontcourt.