The Milwaukee Bucks have hope that Damian Lillard will make a return this season. The Athletic’s Sam Amick was first to report.
Lillard was identified with deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf on March twenty fifth.
Head coach Doc Rivers additionally spoke to the media forward of the Bucks’ three-game street journey starting Thursday and sounded optimistic. Lillard didn’t journey with the group however the truth that it was even a risk is an encouraging signal.
“Yeah, we determined in opposition to it,” Rivers mentioned. “He had an amazing report the opposite day, the numbers are phenomenal. And ‘Why mess with it?’ was our factor. Why fly him or something? It may have an effect on that… We’ve rather more hope right now than we did three days in the past, I can let you know that.
“And so, we’re going to take every thing that we are able to do to see if there’s a approach we are able to get him again.”
League supply says there’s a substantial amount of optimism that Damian Lillard will return this season from the deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf.
Extra right here on the Bucks star’s scenario, with @eric_nehm, at @TheAthletic https://t.co/G8JYn6pTwf
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 26, 2025
Bucks With out Lillard
Milwaukee is 9-8 with out the companies of Lillard this season however simply 1-4 during the last 5 video games. They face the Sixers in Philadelphia on Thursday evening.
One participant who has usually stepped up within the absence of Lillard has been Brook Lopez. The veteran huge man is 16.0 factors per sport in 17 video games the place Lillard hasn’t performed, three factors above his season common.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is at all times magnificent no matter who’s within the lineup and has averaged 31.1 factors, 10.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists in 11 video games with out Lillard.
With the newest absence, Ryan Rollins has stepped into an even bigger position and has been very impactful. He has scored in double-figures in every of the final 4 video games together with a pair of 20-point video games in opposition to the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, respectively.
Standings Watch
The Bucks are at present sixth within the East with a 41-34 report, a half-game behind the Detroit Pistons at 42-34.
Sixth place will face the New York Knicks within the first spherical whereas fifth place will safe a matchup in opposition to the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana defeated Milwaukee within the first spherical of the playoffs a season in the past en path to the East Finals.
