Bucks' Damian Lillard: Tears Achilles, out for season
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Lillard has been diagnosed with a left torn Achilles tendon, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
During Game 4 against the Pacers on Sunday, Lillard went down with a left leg injury after logging only six minutes. Although many speculated that it could be an Achilles tear, it wasn't officially confirmed until Monday, resulting in the superstar guard being forced to miss the rest of the NBA playoffs and potentially missing most, if not all, of next season. The postseason campaign comes to an end for the veteran guard after playing three games, averaging 7.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game across 25.0 minutes per contest.
Lillard is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left lower leg Monday, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Lillard sustained what appeared to be a serious injury with just over six minutes left in the first quarter of the Bucks' 129-103 loss to the Pacers in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series. After the game, head coach Doc Rivers said Lillard's prognosis is "not very promising," with all signs pointing to the veteran point guard having sustained a torn left Achilles tendon. An official diagnosis will be provided once the results of the MRI are available, but Lillard appears highly unlikely to play in Tuesday's Game 5, and his availability for the rest of the playoffs and potentially the start of the 2025-26 season could be in jeopardy. Kevin Porter started at point guard in the second half of Sunday's contest, and he and Ryan Rollins should be in store for expanded roles out of the backcourt if Lillard misses time.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Won't return Sunday
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Lillard has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Game 4 matchup against the Pacers due to a left lower leg injury, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Lillard played six minutes before going down with the leg injury, which resulted in him needing to be taken immediately to the locker room. Haynes relays that the injury is potentially severe, which means Lillard could be dealing with an Achilles tear that would knock him out of the remainder of the postseason and cast serious doubt on his availability for the 2025-26 season, at minimum. Lillard will likely undergo an MRI on Monday before a diagnosis of his injury is provided.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Checks out of Game 4
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Lillard headed to the locker room Sunday in the first quarter of the Bucks' Game 4 matchup with the Pacers due to a left foot injury, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
After missing the final 14 games of the regular season as well as Game 1 while recovering from a blood clot in his calf, Lillard was making his third straight start Sunday. However, after getting hurt while trying to secure an offensive rebound with just over six minutes left in the first quarter, Lillard's availability moving forward is now up in the air. His injury appeared to be fairly serious, but the Bucks will likely provide an official update on his status later Sunday or Monday.
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Struggles from field in Game 3
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Lillard finished with seven points (2-12 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals across 32 minutes during Friday's 117-101 win over Indiana in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent led the way for the Bucks in this win, and that was needed due to Lillard's shooting woes. The star floor general has shot the ball poorly in his two games since returning from a calf injury, making just six of his 25 shots from the field and going 3-for-16 from three-point range. The star floor general will aim to bounce back in Game 4 on Sunday.
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Rough shooting night in return
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Lillard (calf) totaled 14 points (4-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven assists and three rebounds across 37 minutes Tuesday in the Bucks' 123-115 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.
Suiting up for the first time since March 18 after missing the final 14 games of the regular season along with the Bucks' Game 1 loss to the Pacers due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, Lillard surprisingly didn't operate with any playing-time restrictions, as he exceeded his season-long average of 36.1 minutes per contest. The veteran point guard's return didn't provide the sort of lift the Bucks may have been counting on, however, as Lillard struggled to find any sort of shooting rhythm. Bobby Portis (28 points) instead stepped up to provide the most support for star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points), but better production from Lillard will be essential moving forward if the Bucks are to overcome the 2-0 series deficit.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Limited, but will start
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Head coach Doc Rivers said Lillard (conditiong) will start Tuesday in Game 2 of the Bucks' first-round series with the Pacers but will have his minutes monitored, Jeremiah Johnson of FanDuel Sports Network Indiana reports.
Lillard will make his return to action Tuesday after missing the final 14 games of the regular season as well as the Bucks' Game 1 loss to the Pacers due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. While the star guard will almost certainly replace Ryan Rollins in the starting five against Indiana, Lillard could see less than his season average of 36.1 minutes per contest.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Will play in Game 2
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Lillard (calf) has been cleared to play Tuesday in Game 2 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series versus the Pacers, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Lillard will make his long-awaited return to the floor after missing the last 14 games of the regular as well as the Game 1 loss to Indiana due to a blood clot. While Lillard will likely start Tuesday, he could operate with a minute restriction since he may not be fully up to speed following the long layoff from game action.
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Upgraded to questionable for Game 2
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Lillard (calf) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Pacers.
Lillard's status for the NBA playoffs has been uncertain, with no solid timetable. However, the superstar guard appears to be nearing a return, with head coach Doc Rivers making it known Monday that he's "close" to getting back on the floor, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports. Milwaukee is coming off a disappointing loss in Game 1 and desperately needs its superstar point guard back sooner rather than later.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Practices again Monday
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Lillard (calf) was a full participant at Monday's practice, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard has now been able to go through live scrimmages for the past couple of days. Head coach Doc Rivers said Lillard is progressing well and is "close" to a return. At the same time, a previous report from ESPN's Shams Charania indicated that a return for Game 2 against the Pacers on Tuesday is a possibility.
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