The Milwaukee Bucks are in a challenging position. They plan to head into the playoffs with their second-best player having an unclear injury status. That is somewhat expected after Damian Lillard was diagnosed with blood clots without a timetable to return. Without Lillard, the Bucks will have a very difficult time making any real noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With him they could have a chance, hence why the most recent news on Damian Lillard’s return date is so crucial.
Doc Riveres Provides Vague Damian Lillard Injury Update
Damian Lillard’s Return Date Remains Unclear
Rivers provided some more information on Lillard’s return date on Thursday night. He said that Lillard has been cleared to resume basketball activities. The nine-time All-Star is able to “shoot and do some light running” but is still without a real timetable to return.
Rivers added to the update, saying, “Everything is still progressing positively. Last test was fantastic. So, you know, that’s about all I have. Fingers crossed.” This isn’t the best news for Bucks fans.
With only a few days left in the regular season, not knowing when or whether their star point guard is going to return is a real problem. Blood clots are no joke so the Bucks will likely take precautions about bringing Lillard back too soon. Still, maximizing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime is a top priority in Milwaukee and he needs Lillard for a chance at a second championship.
Bucks Record Without Lillard
The Bucks have fared decently without Lillard. When Lillard misses games this season, the Bucks are 14-8, a better winning percentage than their season average of .575. Still, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
For example, in the last ten games without Lillard, the Bucks have only played two games against top-six-seeded playoff teams. They have now won six straight games without Lillard. This won’t be the same story once the playoffs begin. Once the Bucks start playing the best teams in the Eastern Conference, they will need Dame to survive.
Milwaukee’s Playoff Chances
The Bucks’ playoff hopes hinge on whether Lillard can return soon and return healthy. Without a clear return date, Bucks fans can only hope for the best. This is certainly a disappointing position to be in, especially because it looks like the team is going to waste another prime year of Antetokounmpo’s career without being real title contenders.
If Lillard is able to miraculously return for the playoffs, could the Bucks have a chance at a championship? In reality, with Antetokounmpo on their roster, the Bucks are always going to have a chance. That being said, it would be super unlikely that the Bucks will be able to contend in the Eastern Conference this season, with or without Lillard.
With their star point guard, the Bucks’ ceiling gets a lot higher. The Bucks will likely end the season as the fifth seed, meaning they would theoretically get to avoid the Boston Celtics until the Eastern Conference Finals (if they can even make it there). Their first-round series against a less experienced Pacers team is winnable with or without Lillard, but beating the Cavaliers or Celtics will take a fully healthy Bucks team.
In reality it probably just isn’t the Bucks season. They started out horribly and haven’t shown themselves to be elite on either side of the floor this season. So, although Lillard’s return date might seem key to a Bucks playoff run, the Bucks are probably still destined for an early playoff exit.
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