If you’re going through something difficult, it always helps to have support around you, especially if some of those folks know exactly what you’re going through.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who suffered a ruptured Achilles on April 27, 2025 playing a first-round playoff game with the Milwaukee Bucks, has at least some of that support in the form of a group chat that includes other NBA players who are also recovering from the same injury. The group includes Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum, New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton:

“Checking in on each other is important,” Haliburton explained. “Everybody is in different phases. Some guys are ahead. I’m obviously the farthest behind. So we’re checking in on each other. It’s a

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