Damian Lillard will not be available for the Milwaukee Bucks as they begin their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. He is still recovering from a blood clot in his right calf. The Bucks have announced that Lillard has shown `significant` improvement in his condition, known as deep vein thrombosis, and is gradually increasing his basketball activities on the court.
According to the team`s statement, Lillard has been sidelined since March 18 due to the diagnosis. Earlier in April, coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism about Lillard returning this season. While he hasn`t returned yet, the latest update from the Bucks suggests that a return during the postseason is still possible, particularly if Milwaukee advances beyond the first round. The Bucks-Pacers playoff series is set to begin on Saturday afternoon.
The Bucks have performed well in Lillard`s absence, going 10-4, including an eight-game winning streak to conclude the regular season. They are preparing to face the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. Despite their regular-season success without Lillard, his presence would be a significant boost in the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo is capable of leading the Bucks, but the Pacers have been playing exceptionally well recently. After a slow start, Indiana improved significantly mid-season and secured a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference, boasting the ninth-best offense in the league. It`s worth noting that the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the first round last season when Antetokounmpo was injured and unable to play.
Indiana`s star player, Tyrese Haliburton, has significantly improved his performance this season. Since January 1st, he has averaged 19.5 points, 9.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds, shooting 51% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range. These numbers are much closer to his All-Star level performances from the previous two seasons. Pascal Siakam has also been a key player for Indiana, performing at a high level on both offense and defense, strengthening their defense alongside Andrew Nembhard. This defensive improvement has resulted in the Pacers having the ninth-best defense in the league since the start of the new year.
The Bucks are a strong team, holding the 11th-best net rating this season. However, without Lillard to share the scoring load with Antetokounmpo, their playoff series against a high-scoring Indiana team will be more challenging.
Jasper Hawthorne