Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Orlando Magic, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Aaron Gash)
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard will seemingly be sidelined indefinitely, with the staff saying Tuesday night time that he has deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf and is taking blood-thinning medicine.
The Bucks supplied the replace on the seven-time all-NBA guard’s standing with out providing a goal date for his potential return. Lillard has missed the final three video games for the Bucks, who shut a five-game journey Wednesday at Denver.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
READ: NBA: Bucks’ Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo appear to be their outdated selves
“Damian’s well being is our No. 1 precedence,” Bucks normal supervisor Jon Horst stated in an announcement. “We are going to help him as he strikes by this weekly strategy of strict standards to make sure that it’s secure for him to return to play. Docs have indicated that his scenario may be very unlikely to happen once more. We’re grateful that this was recognized and medicated rapidly, which helps with the restoration.”
The Bucks stated Lillard’s medicine has stabilized the thrombosis and that he’ll proceed with common testing.
Lillard, 34, is the second high-profile participant to be sidelined this season due to DVT.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs was recognized with it in his shoulder after he returned from the All-Star Sport final month and was rapidly dominated out for the season. He, like Lillard, is on blood-thinning medicine, however docs have assured the Spurs that there isn’t a concern for Wembanyama’s long-term well being.
READ: NBA: Wembanyama anticipated to overlook remainder of season after blood clot prognosis
Such circumstances have affected NBA gamers earlier than, together with Corridor of Famer Chris Bosh — whose profession was lower brief after he was recognized with blood clots whereas enjoying with Miami. Brandon Ingram, now with the Toronto Raptors, had his 2018-19 season finish early due to deep vein thrombosis when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. Detroit’s Ausar Thompson had a clot situation that noticed him miss the tip of the 2023-24 season.
DVT sometimes develops within the decrease leg, so the prognosis of it in Lillard’s calf shouldn’t be unusual.
This harm places on maintain a season through which Lillard earned his ninth All-Star Sport choice. He was ranked tenth within the NBA in assists (7.1) and eleventh in scoring (24.9).
His scenario raises the likelihood that the Bucks may open the playoffs with out one in every of their two superstars for a second straight season. Milwaukee went out within the first spherical of the playoffs for a second consecutive season final 12 months when a calf harm prevented two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from enjoying in any respect in a 4-2 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
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The Bucks (40-31) are in a digital tie with the Detroit Pistons (41-32) for fifth place within the Jap Convention standings, two video games behind fourth-place Indiana (42-29). The highest 4 groups within the convention earn home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs.