Lillard also addressed the Bucks’ up-and-down season in his first year with the team
MILWAUKEE Bucks star Damian Lillard has left fans worried having revealed he lives a lonely life in a new city.
The eight-time NBA All-Star filed for divorce from his wife Kay’La just days after the Portland Trail Blazers traded him to Milwaukee last fall.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard said he feels lonely living far away from his family after leaving the Portland Trail Blazers in a blockbuster trade last fallCredit: Reuters
Not long after Lillard was sent to the Bucks, he filed for divorce from his wife Kay’La (left) with whom he shares three childrenCredit: Getty
Lillard, 33, recently told Sports Illustrated he doesn’t regret requesting the trade after 11 years in Portland even though his first season with the Bucks has been a bumpy road.
But the NBA sharpshooter admitted he finds it “tough” being so far away from his family, particularly his kids.
The former No. 6 overall pick shares three sons with Kay’La, whom she married in September 2021.
“In Portland, my life was set up,” Lillard said.
“My mom was down the street; my brother was the other way down the street. My sister was down the street. My kids in school.
“Just my whole life was set up perfectly right there. It was a great situation. So just leaving that behind alone is a lot.
“And then you add the basketball side to it and that is what it is.”
Lillard said he would often visit his loved ones or have them over after he fulfilled his basketball commitments.
Now, the California native continued, he “doesn’t have much of a life.”
The Bucks star said that during his typical day, he goes to practice then comes back home and either plays video games or watches boxing.
Lillard said he religiously follows the boxing website FightHype’s channel on YouTube — so much so he “prays for something new to be on there” when he checks it out again.
“I’m such a family guy. My life is my family,” he said.
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“After games, I would come out and my whole family would be back there. My kids coming out of the playroom. My mom, my brother, my cousins lived there, you know what I mean?
“My best friends live in Portland. So I would come out, we would go to dinner. They might come to my house. After practice, I might go to my mom’s house and just chill.
“That’s how my life was. So, I mean, I’m fine because I’m grown. But it’s definitely lonely. I’m filled up by those people.”
NBA fans felt for Lillard after he opened up about his private life struggles.
“Just sad. Idk what else to say. Lost his family and Portland all at once, millions help, but it ain’t everything,” one wrote on X.
“Man, that sounds tough. It can be lonely when you’re in a new city and don’t have much of a social life outside of work,” another added.
“Look bball aside, friends and fam need to make sure Dame’s mental health is alright,” a third said
“He has been going through a lot. Lately, it seems like everything he says including his body language, has been somber.”
Lillard reunited with his family and children during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend earlier this month, which he ended by claiming the All-Star Game MVP award.
The Grammy-nominated artist posed for a selfie with the point guard and then shared it on Instagram.
“Who [man] dis is? Cause I want him,” GloRilla wrote in the caption.
The Bucks have been going through ups and downs in Lillard’s first season with the team, leading to Doc Rivers replacing Adrian Griffin as head coach in late January.
While trying to develop chemistry with new superstar teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee entered the All-Star break placing third in the Eastern Conference standings.
But Lillard remains optimistic about the future.
“I did think we’d be rolling a lot sooner than this,” he said. “But I know we can get there.”
The Bucks won three straight games coming off the All-Star break, improving their record to 38-21.
