Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard obtained 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 in opposition to the Lakers, Kings, and Suns with calf soreness. What initially was regarded as an informal 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 Jap Convention. 4-6 of their final ten video games, the harm will definitely have an effect on Milwaukee. Below head coach Doc Rivers, this can be a championship hungry crew. Bounced from the primary spherical of the playoffs the final two years, the Bucks are searching for their first Larry O’Brien trophy because the 2020-2021 season.
Though the harm comes at a essential time, there may be optimism the 9-time NBA All-Star will return to the courtroom this season.
“There’s nonetheless optimism presently that Dame [Lillard] goes to play once more and in some unspecified time in the future 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 pressured 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 crew in assists (7.1 APG), and steals (1.7). Averaging 4.7 rebounds, Lillard is an important piece of the crew’s success contemplating he makes up almost 22 p.c of the crew’s whole offense.
Luckily, the Bucks have a comparatively straightforward schedule for his or her final 11 video games. Regardless of difficult matchups forward in opposition to 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 stunned if the Bucks slide right into a Play-In Match spot. Particularly with Giannis out tonight, the Bucks hopes of a deep playoff run look bleak.
Damian Lillard’s Well being Is The High 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 taking pictures percentages, his utilization was simply as excessive because the earlier season.
Damian Lillard to me on his prognosis:“It’s unlucky that one thing outdoors of my management would come up. Together with the Bucks’ medical employees, our priorities are to guard my well being and security. As a lot as I 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? In the end 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 outdoors of my management would come up.” Lillard advised Chris Haynes. “Together with the Bucks’ medical employees, our priorities are to guard my well being and security. As a lot as I like basketball, I have to be there for my youngsters and my household. I’m grateful the Bucks acted shortly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive all through this course of. I stay up for transferring previous this and persevering with my profession.”
Above all else, Lillards psychological and bodily well being is most necessary. He could also be one of many x-factors on the Bucks, nevertheless, you may’t put a worth 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 presently resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma in Economics from the College of Connecticut.
