Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard acquired devastating information this week because the Bucks guard has been dominated out indefinitely.
On Tuesday, It was introduced that Damian Lillard will miss time after struggling a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Whereas no timetable is definite, the information comes simply weeks earlier than the NBA playoffs will start.
The information comes as a shock, since Lillard missed the final three matchups towards the Lakers, Kings, and Suns with calf soreness. What initially was regarded as an off-the-cuff harm become a possible harmful one. In keeping with ESPNs Shams Charania, Lillard seemingly caught the blood clot early, and is on blood-thinning medicine.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his proper calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medicine, which has stabilized the blood clot, and can proceed with common testing. He’s out indefinite interval. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
Damian Lilliard Stays Optimistic About His Return
40-31, the Bucks are the present No. 5 seed within the Japanese Convention. 4-6 of their final ten video games, the harm will definitely have an effect on Milwaukee. Underneath head coach Doc Rivers, this can be a championship hungry staff. Bounced from the primary spherical of the playoffs the final two years, the Bucks are on the lookout for their first Larry O’Brien trophy for the reason that 2020-2021 season.
Though the harm comes at a essential time, there’s optimism the 9-time NBA All-Star will return to the courtroom this season.
“There’s nonetheless optimism at the moment that Dame [Lillard] goes to play once more and sooner or later this season,” stated Jamal Collier.
Confirming Lillard has been taking blood-thinners since final week, the Bucks will proceed to watch the California native’s well being situation.
This is not the primary time we have seen athletes identified with a Deep Vein Thrombosis. Earlier this season, Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama was shut down for the rest of the season with the identical ailment. A number of different hoopers have been affected by DVTs, together with Brandon Ingram, and Chris Bosh, who was compelled to retire early.
The Affect of Lillard’s Absence on the Bucks
If Lillard had been to return, the Bucks have closely relied on each No.0 and Giannis Antetokounmpo to hold the offense. Not solely is Lillard the Bucks second main scorer (24.9 PPG), he leads the staff in assists (7.1 APG), and steals (1.7). Averaging 4.7 rebounds, Lillard is a vital piece of the staff’s success contemplating he makes up almost 22 p.c of the staff’s complete offense.
Fortuitously, the Bucks have a comparatively simple schedule for his or her final 11 video games. Regardless of difficult matchups forward towards the Knicks, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Pistons, the Bucks will try to remain afloat. A two recreation lead over the Pacers leaves themselves sitting comfortably within the No.4 seed, for now. The backcourt duo of Ryan Rollins and Taureen Prince would not precisely equate to the deadly duo of Lillard and Antetokounmpo.
Given the Pacers, Hawks, and Pistons stellar play, I would not be shocked if the Bucks slide right into a Play-In Event spot. Particularly with Giannis out tonight, the Bucks hopes of a deep playoff run look bleak.
Damian Lillard’s Well being Is The Prime Precedence
Though Milwaukee hasn’t been the powerhouse it is dreamt to be, Lillard has bounced again from a tumultuous first season in Milwaukee. With substantial will increase in capturing percentages, his utilization was simply as excessive because the earlier season.
Damian Lillard to me on his analysis:“It’s unlucky that one thing exterior of my management would come up. Together with the Bucks’ medical workers, our priorities are to guard my well being and security. As a lot as I really like basketball, I have to be there for my youngsters and my household. I’m…
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 26, 2025
This is not the primary time Lillard’s accidents have put a hiccup within the Bucks playoff plans. Though bounced by the Pacers within the first spherical of the playoffs final season, how can we overlook Lillards 35 first half factors in recreation one? Finally conceding to the Pacers within the sequence, Lillard missed video games 4 and 5 with an achiles harm.
Because the announcement emerged, Damian Lillard has since damaged his silence on his well being prognosis.
“It’s unlucky that one thing exterior of my management would come up.” Lillard instructed Chris Haynes. “Together with the Bucks’ medical workers, our priorities are to guard my well being and security. As a lot as I really like basketball, I have to be there for my youngsters and my household. I’m grateful the Bucks acted rapidly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive all through this course of. I look ahead to transferring previous this and persevering with my profession.”
Above all else, Lillards psychological and bodily well being is most essential. He could also be one of many x-factors on the Bucks, nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t put a value on well being. In the meantime, the whole basketball world is wishing Damian Lillard a wholesome and speedy restoration.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with Girls’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane at the moment resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma in Economics from the College of Connecticut.
