The NBA playoffs are less than a month away, and the Milwaukee Bucks could already be in trouble. On Tuesday, the Bucks learned that they will be without their superstar guard Damian Lillard indefinitely after he sustained a blood clot in his right calf. ESPN’s Shams Charanis broke the news.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue with regular testing. He is out indefinite period. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
Damian Lillard’s Blood Clot Could Derail Bucks’ Playoff Hopes
Charania noted that Lillard is currently on blood-thinning medication, which has helped stabilize the blood clot. Milwaukee already had roster limitations when they were healthy. Add this wrinkle, and it could be a disaster. The Bucks are not exactly championship material, as the numbers show they are a middle-of-the-road team. Milwaukee ranks 15th in offensive rating, 10th in defensive rating, and 12th in net rating. Although the Bucks could have arguably the best player in each series in Giannis Antetokounmpo, they’ve struggled mightily against the top teams in the league, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and the New York Knicks.
Currently, there’s no timetable for return. If Lillard were to miss an extensive period of time, the Bucks could be in serious trouble by the time the playoffs approach. Milwaukee currently sits as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have entered the postseason hobbled for the past few seasons, and this year appears to be more of the same. The 34-year-old has missed the last three games due to a lingering calf issue. On Tuesday, the NBA world learned it is more severe than initially thought.
Other Updates on Lillard’s Injury
After the news broke, Bucks general manager Jon Horst provided an update on the situation and Lillard’s current state.
“Damian‘s health is our No. 1 priority,” said Bucks general manager, John Horst. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”
NBA insider Chris Haynes said he spoke with Lillard as well and said he is glad the Bucks acted quickly on it.
“It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up. Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety. As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m grateful the Bucks acted quickly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive throughout this process. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career.”
Lillard and the Bucks Aim to Bounce Back From Playoff Woes
The Bucks and Lillard will look to bounce back this postseason and in a big way. The Indiana Pacers defeated Lillard and the Bucks in six games in the first round last season. Lillard missed two games in the first round of the playoffs due to an Achilles injury. However, their injury woes stem from even before Lillard’s absence.
Since winning the title in 2021, the Bucks have fallen short year after year, mainly due to injuries. In 2022, Khris Middleton suffered an MCL sprain against the Bulls. In 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo left Game 1 vs. the Heat due to a back injury. And last season, Antetokounmpo missed the entire first-round series with a left soleus strain. It’s been one thing after the other with the Bucks. While Milwaukee is confident they caught Lillard’s problem early, there’s still a cause for concern.
Photo credit: © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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