Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard will play his first sport again in Portland on Wednesday (10 p.m. EST on ESPN).
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Lillard spent the primary 11 years of his profession with the Portland Path Blazers previous to being traded to the Bucks final September. He is the franchise chief in factors with 19,376 and 3-point area objectives made with 2,387. He averaged fewer than 20 factors per sport in a single season with the Path Blazers.
He thanked the Portland followers in a rap tune launched after he was traded, however the followers have not been capable of thank him in individual but. Nonetheless, it is probably that Lillard will obtain a hero’s welcome.
This is a glance again at notable completely happy returns for stars throughout a number of sports activities.
NBA
Michael Jordan, 2002
Recreation stats: 16 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Recreation end result: Washington Wizards win 77-69
Three seasons after his second retirement from the Chicago Bulls, Jordan made his return to the NBA in 2001, signing with the Wizards. His first sport again to Chicago included an emotional tribute.
Jordan struggled from the sphere on 7-of-21 taking pictures and had 9 turnovers within the Wizards’ 77-69 win. He acknowledged the challenges of taking part in in entrance of his former dwelling crowd.
In his phrases: “I had a tricky time taking part in towards Chicago. It is like taking part in a relative, in a way. It is not as intense, you are not fairly as motivated.”
LeBron James, 2018
Recreation stats: 32 factors, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block
Recreation end result: Los Angeles Lakers win 109-105
Eight years after a raucous return to Cleveland whereas taking part in for the Miami Warmth, James had a very totally different expertise when he confronted the Cleveland Cavaliers for the primary time as a member of the Lakers.
The gang roared when his identify was referred to as final throughout participant introductions, and a tribute video left James emotional. He thanked either side of the sector.
In his phrases: “I admire these followers, simply as a lot as they admire me … In order that was simply my salute to them for them appreciating what I used to be capable of accomplish with my teammates and coaches alongside these 4 years.”
Russell Westbrook, 2020
Recreation stats: 34 factors, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
Recreation end result: Houston Rockets lose 113-94
Westbrook regarded proper at dwelling in his first sport again at Oklahoma Metropolis. He had a game-high 34 factors in a loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The Thunder crowd welcomed Westbrook with a tribute video and chanted “MVP” after he was introduced. He acknowledged how totally different it was to be on the opposing facet, however thanked the followers for his or her reception.
In his phrases: “Some issues you’ll be able to’t put into phrases. I have been right here for thus lengthy and so many nice recollections, nice folks. The best possible followers on the earth as a result of they arrive with it, and tonight they got here with it.”
NFL
Tom Brady, 2021
Recreation stats: 22-of-43 passing, 269 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Recreation end result: Tampa Bay Buccaneers win 19-17
Enjoying towards the New England Patriots for the primary time, Brady was welcomed again with cheers earlier than followers booed him throughout the sport. He led the Buccaneers to a good 19-17 victory, driving the Buccaneers downfield for a 48-yard area aim with 1:57 left to take the lead.
Brady mirrored on the emotional evening postgame.
In his phrases: “It is not that I might predict what would occur. There have been a couple of emotional moments fascinated with the folks that meant a lot in my life. My soccer journey took me someplace else.”
Peyton Manning, 2013
Recreation stats: 29-of-49 passing, 386 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Recreation end result: Denver Broncos lose 39-33
Some of the anticipated returns in NFL historical past, Manning confronted the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 7 of the 2013 season.
The Colts performed a 90-second tribute video for Manning, who responded by taking off his helmet and waving to the group in an emotional second. Andrew Luck led the Colts to a 39-33 win, giving the Broncos their first lack of the season — and spoiling Manning’s return.
In his phrases: “Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to play these guys once more as a result of that will imply we made the playoffs. I believe if there’s a subsequent time it might be somewhat bit simpler simply because it was considerably of an emotional week and it may be somewhat bit draining.”
Emmitt Smith, 2003
Recreation stats: 6 carries, -1 yards
Recreation end result: Arizona Cardinals lose 24-7
The previous Dallas Cowboys star returned to Dallas in an uneventful approach as a member of the Cardinals. He had six carries for minus-1 yards and left the sport with an harm within the second quarter. On the time, it was the one sport of his profession that he completed with detrimental dashing yards.
Followers cheered for Smith the second he stepped on the sphere.
In his phrases: “First time I went into Texas Stadium in a bus. On a visiting bus. Obtained off the bus, walked into the guests locker room, noticed my Cardinals uniform. And I regarded round. I felt misplaced … I stated this out loud: ‘I am not presupposed to be right here. This isn’t my room.’ I broke down in tears and cried for 45 minutes earlier than we performed that sport.”
MLB
Mookie Betts, 2023
Recreation stats: 1-for-4, 2 runs, 1 stroll
Recreation end result: Los Angeles Dodgers win 7-4
In his first sport again to face the Boston Crimson Sox since being traded to the Dodgers, Betts obtained a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat.
He provided his appreciation after the sport.
In his phrases: “I do not actually bear in mind what I used to be feeling. I do know I used to be type of shaking somewhat bit. However I am simply grateful. Grateful I bought the ovation. … Grateful we gained.”
Nomar Garciaparra, 2009
Recreation stats: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
Recreation end result: Oakland Athletics win 6-0
An emotional return to Fenway Park got here 5 years after the Crimson Sox traded Garciaparra in 2004, the identical 12 months they went on to win the World Sequence.
Garciaparra, who spent 8½ seasons in Boston, was welcomed with a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat. He tipped his helmet and tapped his chest in response.
In his phrases: “You do not know how issues are going to play out. There is not any script for that one. I believe what you noticed on the market was simply pure emotion, from the followers, from myself.”
Freddie Freeman, 2022
Recreation stats: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 walks
Recreation end result: Dodgers win 4-1
There might not have been a extra emotional return than when Freeman confronted the Braves for the primary time on the street. He spent 12 years with the Atlanta Braves, profitable an MVP in 2020 then a World Sequence in his remaining season with the workforce.
Freeman walked within the first and fifth inning, scoring each instances whereas on base. He obtained two standing ovations — one earlier than the sport and his first at-bat — plus his 2021 World Sequence ring. He additionally teared up throughout a pregame information convention, however had constructive ideas after the sport.
In his phrases: “I am exhausted, emotionally exhausted, however what a beautiful night for my household.”
NHL
Matthew Tkachuk, 2022
Recreation stats: 0 factors, 2 penalty minutes, 21:50 ice time
Recreation end result: Florida Panthers lose 6-2
After taking part in six seasons with the Calgary Flames, Matthew Tkachuk determined that he would not be signing a contract extension with them throughout the summer time of 2022, and was traded to the Panthers.
A fan favourite throughout his time with the Flames (and for the way in which he let the membership get one thing in return for him by way of commerce), Tkachuk was the topic of a tribute video and standing ovation when he made his first journey again to the Saddledome sporting a special sweater, although he did endure some boos too.
In his phrases: “Simply passionate followers right here. It is clearly good to see that video. A pair seconds of exhibiting what my time was like right here on and off the ice, it was good to see.”
Marc-Andre Fleury, 2018
Recreation stats: 33 saves on 38 photographs
Recreation end result: Vegas Golden Knights lose 5-4
The enlargement draft for the Golden Knights allowed them to construct the muse for a workforce that made the Stanley Cup Closing in its first season (and would win the Cup in 2023). One of many key parts — and in reality, the early face of the franchise — was goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
However earlier than he was a Golden Knight, the longer term Hockey Corridor of Famer had already authored a legendary profession in 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His first sport again in Pittsburgh introduced on the feelings, however it was the house workforce who gained that evening.
In his phrases: “I did not know what to anticipate. Within the warmup, I had goose bumps. It is a evening I will not overlook.”
Jarome Iginla, 2013
Recreation stats: 0 factors, 4 photographs on aim, 21:36 ice time
Recreation end result: Boston Bruins win 2-1
Maybe no participant is extra synonymous with Calgary Flames hockey because the twentieth century flipped to the twenty first than Jarome Iginla. The Hockey Corridor of Famer performed 16 seasons for the franchise, previous to skating for the Penguins, Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings to shut out his profession.
On Dec. 10, 2013, Iggy returned as a member of the Bruins and was honored with an in depth pregame celebration.
The visiting Bruins gained, and Iginla was named the third star, leading to one other standing ovation from the Calgary devoted.
In his personal phrases: “It was positively emotional. It was a cool feeling. It felt particular, the ovation there at first, and you then type of really feel humorous standing on the market.”
WNBA
Candace Parker, 2022
Recreation stats:10 factors, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Recreation end result: Chicago Sky win 82-59
After spending her whole 13-year WNBA profession with the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker went dwelling, signing with the Sky.
She made historical past in her first sport towards the Sparks in Los Angeles, recording a WNBA report third profession triple-double. She obtained a loud cheer throughout the introductions.
In her phrases: “That is dwelling. That is the place my household lives. That is the place I like coming again to. It is positively bittersweet to be again as a result of it is part of our previous.”
Breanna Stewart, 2023
Recreation stats: 25 factors, 11 rebounds, 1 help, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Recreation end result: New York Liberty win 86-78
Stewart gained two WNBA titles in six seasons with the Seattle Storm earlier than she left the franchise for the Liberty in 2023. She had a powerful return to Seattle, main New York to the win.
Followers shared their appreciation all through the sport. Stewart acknowledged that the “emotional curler coaster of a day” had an impression on her play.
In her phrases: “I used to be attempting to play via it, however I used to be telling [coach] Sandy [Brondello] within the first half, I used to be simply floating. I do not assume I used to be actually doing something besides identical to — undecided what I used to be doing.”
