The Milwaukee Bucks’ season took a devastating turn during Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers. Damian Lillard suffered a non-contact injury to his left lower leg midway through the first quarter. The Bucks quickly ruled him out for the rest of the game. After attempting to tap the ball away for an offensive rebound, Lillard collapsed, grabbing his lower leg. He struggled to stand at the next dead ball, putting no weight on his left leg. Trainers immediately helped him off the court. This moment symbolized a breaking point in a season full of challenges for both Lillard and the Bucks. Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury, feared from the moment he went down, now looks like the final blow to their playoff dreams.
Death Knell in Bucks Season After Damian Lillard’s Achilles Injury
Damian Lillard’s Achilles Injury Was Feared Immediately
The fear among Bucks fans was immediate. Insider Chris Haynes quickly reported that sources believed Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury might be a tear. Lillard appeared to hurt himself while trying to plant his left foot. He instinctively reached for his heel and ankle area, a classic symptom of Achilles problems. Sitting on the court, Lillard seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation.
Sources: The fear is Bucks star Damian Lillard suffered a left Achilles tear. Brutal circumstance after working himself back from a blood clot diagnosis that kept him out over a month. https://t.co/NgQtMpm0yE
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 28, 2025
When trainers assisted him off the floor, he could not put any weight on his injured leg. Initial reports suggested a tear, ranging anywhere from a grade 1 to a more serious grade 3 injury. Although the injury seems less severe than Kevin Durant’s complete Achilles rupture in 2019, it will likely keep Lillard out for an extended period.
Blood Clots Did Not Cause This Injury
Some will speculate if Lillard’s recent battle with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) might have contributed to his latest injury. However, medical experts point out that DVT does not cause tendon tears. Lillard had made an incredibly quick recovery from DVT to return for Game 2 of this playoff series. Still, Achilles injuries usually happen because of sudden, forceful movements, like chasing a rebound in an intense basketball game.
It is important to understand that while Achilles injuries can increase DVT risk during recovery due to immobilization, the reverse is not true. Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury came from athletic strain, not from his prior health condition. His rapid return to action did not cause this devastating setback.
Major Fallout for the Bucks After Lillard’s Achilles Injury
This injury drastically changes the outlook for the Milwaukee Bucks. Already trailing 2-1 before Game 4, they now face a brutal 3-1 series deficit. Only 13 teams in NBA history have come back from such a deep hole, and no team has done so since 2020. A third straight first-round exit now seems all but inevitable.
Beyond this season, the Bucks face even bigger concerns. The speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future will now grow louder. Without Lillard, the Bucks have few ways to significantly upgrade their roster. Giannis could seriously explore other options if he believes the Bucks can no longer deliver a championship.
Milwaukee went all-in trading for Lillard. Now, that gamble may leave them stuck without draft picks, roster flexibility, or a healthy star guard.
A Crushing Setback for Lillard’s Career
For Lillard, the injury marks a cruel twist in his career journey. After years of loyalty to the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard finally chose to chase a championship elsewhere. Sadly, Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury now threatens to derail that quest completely.
Looking back, some may wonder whether Lillard stayed in Portland too long. By the time he moved to Milwaukee, his best years may have already passed. If the Achilles tear proves to be severe, Lillard could miss much of next season. Recovery from Achilles injuries often robs players of their explosiveness and endurance, two traits critical to Lillard’s game.
This injury might permanently alter Lillard’s future as an elite NBA player.
The Last Word
Lillard’s Achilles injury is a devastating blow for the Bucks and for Lillard’s championship dreams. It could very well mark the end of Milwaukee’s current title window. It also forces the franchise and its superstar, Antetokounmpo, to confront an uncertain future. While Lillard’s competitive spirit remains, the physical reality he now faces will be a steep uphill battle.
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