While the Milwaukee Bucks organization navigates the current “will or won’t he request a trade” situation with Giannis Antetokounmpo, somewhere in the background, Giannis’s Bucks running mate, Damian Lillard, is recovering from an Achilles injury. Lillard tore his Achilles early in the playoffs, in which Milwaukee failed to move on past round one. Given the nature of Lillard’s injury, his recovery time will be lengthy, as all Achilles tears are. The questions surrounding Giannis and his future with the Bucks may overshadow Lillard’s own future or return timetable until a decision regarding a potential blockbuster trade is made. That said, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers gave his cautious prediction on when Dame could return while reflecting on the emotions surrounding his injury.
Doc Rivers Reflects on Emotional Damian Lillard Injury
Milwaukee Bucks HC Doc Rivers hopes Damian Lillard’s injury recovery gets him back before the end of next season
One could argue that with no chances of ever competing or contending for a title with the Portland Trail Blazers, Dame was enjoying a better ride there than he has since joining the Bucks two seasons ago. In his first two seasons there, Milwaukee has unfortunately never advanced past the first round. Chemistry and injuries have played a significant role.
Last year, it was an injury to Giannis that knocked him out of the playoffs. This year, it was Dame’s injury. He managed to return just in time for the playoffs to begin following a blood clot issue. However, he was forced back to the sidelines after tearing his Achilles. Big-picture-wise, the tandem of Giannis and Dame hasn’t yielded the expected results, and now, the Bucks’ future is muddled.
There is no definitive timetable for Lillard’s return. It is expected to be late next season if he returns at all. While appearing as a guest on the Bill Simmons Podcast, Rivers spoke about Dame’s eventual return but cautioned against providing any concrete answers.
“I’m staying out of it but I do think he’ll come back by the end of the next season you know because he had it early enough in the playoffs,” Rivers said.
Doc was scared for Dame’s career after blood clots
Lillard’s blood clot problem was not the first of its kind this past season, as Victor Wembanyama was also forced to miss the rest of the season due to his own clots. Blood clots are a scary development in professional athletes. Specifically in the NBA, it has closed the careers of someone like Chris Bosh. The clots that Wemby and Dame dealt with have proven to be not career-threatening—for now, at least.
Nevertheless, when they occur, it can be a frightening experience for onlookers. Rivers has coached Dame for a season and a half now. Speaking to Simmons, he admitted to becoming emotional and scared for Lillard’s career when he received the bad news.
“But I got to say this about Dame, Dame had two injuries. You know, I jokingly told Dame ‘I cried twice for you damn it in one year’,” Rivers said to Simmons. “You know, and because when he had the blood clot, Bill, there was a moment when I got the news, because I’m old and I know what blood clots usually mean, you know so when I first heard the news I literally, my eyes watered because I’m thinking this guy’s about to get robbed of the rest of his career. And then within the next day we find okay no not career threatening he may even come back.”
Returning to an uncertain situation
Thankfully, Lillard’s blood clot issue was resolved. Still, he remains in limbo due to his Achilles recovery. What state the Bucks franchise is in when he returns is unknown and wildly anticipated throughout the NBA. What matters most is that Dame has a smooth recovery and can resume his playing ways next season.
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