Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has received positive news regarding his health. Doctors have cleared him of deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, and he is no longer on blood thinners, the team announced Thursday. Lillard missed Game 1 of the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers due to the issue, but sources suggest he should be back on the court for Game 2 or 3.
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst expressed his excitement about Lillard`s recovery, emphasizing that the player`s health was always the top priority. He credited world-class medical professionals and their strict protocols for Lillard`s safe and quick return to playing basketball.
Lillard`s recovery was noted as remarkably fast, attributed to early detection and prompt treatment.
Game 2 between the Bucks and Pacers is scheduled for Tuesday, and Game 3 will be played in Milwaukee on Friday.
Earlier in the week, the Bucks had already indicated that Lillard was showing “significant” progress in his recovery.
Lillard has been sidelined since March 18 with the blood clot diagnosis. However, at the beginning of April, Coach Doc Rivers had expressed optimism about the All-Star guard returning this season.
Without Lillard, the Bucks performed well, achieving a 10-4 record and concluding the regular season with an eight-game winning streak. They are now facing the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. While Milwaukee managed well without Lillard in the regular season, his presence would be invaluable in the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo is capable of leading the team, but the Pacers have been strong recently. Despite a slow start, Indiana improved significantly mid-season, securing a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference with a strong offense. Notably, the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the first round last season when Antetokounmpo was also injured and absent.
Indiana`s Tyrese Haliburton has improved his performance significantly since January 1st, averaging impressive stats, closer to his All-Star level. Pascal Siakam has also been a key player for Indiana, contributing on both offense and defense, alongside Andrew Nembhard, leading to a strong defense since the start of the year.
The Bucks are a strong team with a good net rating this season. However, without Lillard sharing the scoring load with Antetokounmpo, facing a high-scoring Indiana team in this playoff series will be more challenging for Milwaukee.
Jasper Hawthorne