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.
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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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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Hopeful to return for Game 2 or 3
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Lillard (calf) is expected to return to action next for Tuesday's Game 2 or Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Shams Charania of ESPN.com reports.
Lillard was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf just over three weeks ago but has made a shockingly quick recovery and was medically cleared Thursday. While Lillard has already been ruled out for Game 1, he participated in his first full practice Thursday. The star guard's return date will ultimately be determined by when he can regain his in-game conditioning.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Cleared of deep vein thrombosis
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Lillard (calf) is no longer on blood-thinning medication, which is a drastic step forward to returning to the floor for the Bucks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Lillard will miss a 15th consecutive game on Saturday due to his condition. However, this update is a promising sign that he'll be back in the lineup for Milwaukee sooner rather than later, which significantly increases the team's chances of beating the Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The superstar guard had another solid regular season, averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while tying a career high with 1.2 steals per game.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Will miss Game 1 vs. Indiana
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Lillard (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pacers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Despite making "significant progress" with his blood clot issue, Lillard will not play in Game 1 in Indiana. The superstar guard will continue to increase basketball activity this week and is expected to return at some point during the NBA playoffs, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Ryan Rollins (shoulder) and Kevin Porter (wrist) will likely continue to see more time on the floor during Lillard's absence.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Cleared for basketball activity
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Lillard (calf) has been able to participate in shooting drills and light running, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard is continuing to trend in the right direction after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf on March 25. He recently gained clearance to participate in some basketball activities. Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers didn't have much to add in terms of a timeline for a return, so it's likely safe to consider Lillard week-to-week until the team has another update on his rehab.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Could return sooner than expected
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The Bucks are hopeful that Lillard (calf) can resume taking part in basketball activities in the next seven to 10 days, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Lillard was viewed as out indefinitely after the Bucks announced March 25 that the star guard had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. Though the 34-year-old is still without a definitive target date for a return, Charania's report suggests that the Bucks' optimism about Lillard's outlook has improved since he originally received the diagnosis. Since he's still at least a week away from resuming basketball activities, Lillard looks set to remain out for the rest of the regular season, but a return during the opening round of the playoffs could be in the forecast.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Out indefinitely
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Lillard has been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and will be sidelined indefinitely, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard has already missed the club's last three outings and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to the blood clot. The superstar is on blood-thinning medication and will go through a "weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play," according to Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent and Kevin Porter will likely continue to receive an uptick in playing time due to Lillard being sidelined. There is a "great deal of optimism that he will return this season," per Nehm. However, if the veteran point guard is unable to return before the end of the regular season, he'll finish with averages of 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 three-pointers and 1.2 steals across 36.1 minutes per game in 58 regular-season appearances.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Ruled out against Denver
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Lillard (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard will miss a fourth straight game for the Bucks on Wednesday as he continues to nurse a calf injury. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter will likely see a boost in minutes for Milwaukee to help pick up the slack in the backcourt.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Remains out for Monday
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Lillard (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Suns, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard will miss his third consecutive contest due to right calf soreness. The superstar's next chance to play will come Wednesday against the Nuggets. Ryan Rollins has started at point guard in the club's last two outings due to Lillard being sidelined, with Kevin Porter receiving an uptick in playing time off the bench.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Out for Saturday
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Lillard (calf) is out for Saturday's game against the Kings, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard will miss a second straight game due to right calf soreness, though the Bucks haven't indicated that they're expecting the star point guard to miss extended time. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter will likely cover all of the minutes at point guard Saturday while Lillard is sidelined.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Officially out for Thursday
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Lillard (groin) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lakers, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Though Lillard was listed as probable heading into the day, he was downgraded to questionable before the Bucks ultimately opted to hold him out for the first time since Feb. 21. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter will likely cover all of the minutes at point guard Thursday while Lillard takes a seat.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Not expected to go Thursday
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Lillard (groin) isn't expected to play Thursday against the Lakers, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was initially added to the injury report as probable, but he was downgraded to questionable earlier in the day and is now considered unlikely to suit up. Assuming he's ruled out closer to tipoff, Kevin Porter and AJ Green would be in line for more chances in the frontcourt.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Downgraded to questionable
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Lillard (groin) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Lakers, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was initially listed as probable to play against the Lakers on Thursday, but that has been changed to questionable, which means the Bucks might have to pivot in Los Angeles. If the superstar guard can't play, Milwaukee will likely turn to Kevin Porter and Ryan Rollins to pick up the slack in the backcourt.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Likely to play Thursday
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Lillard is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Lakers due to right groin soreness, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard has appeared in each of the Bucks' last 13 games, averaging 23.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.2 steals in 35.0 minutes per contest. He's now been listed as probable ahead of each of the past five contests due to the groin issue, so Lillard could be due for a game off soon, even though he's expected to play Thursday.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Available Tuesday
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Lillard (groin) is available for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
As expected, Lillard will shake off a probable tag due to right groin soreness Tuesday. The star point guard has made 12 consecutive appearances, during which he has averaged 23.6 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 34.8 minutes per contest.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Listed as probable for Tuesday
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Lillard (groin) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard is still working through a minor groin issue, and, after getting a first look at Milwaukee's injury report, it looks as though he'll continue to play through the injury Tuesday. Expect confirmation on the star point guard's availability closer to tipoff.
