Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is facing an unexpected and serious health setback.
The team announced on Tuesday night that the 34-year-old guard has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf and will be out indefinitely.
Health Comes First
Lillard is currently on blood-thinning medication, and the clot has been stabilized.
However, he will undergo further medical tests to monitor his condition, and there’s no clear timeline for his return to the court.
Acknowledging the situation, Lillard shared his thoughts with reporter Chris Haynes: “It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control has come up.
My top priority, along with the Bucks’ medical staff, is to protect my health and safety.
As much as I love basketball, my family and my kids come first.
I’m grateful to the Bucks for acting quickly and being so supportive. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career.”
Uncertainty Surrounding His Return
With just 11 games left in the regular season, Milwaukee currently holds the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and is expected to make the playoffs, which begin on April 19.
However, there are concerns that Lillard may not return in time—or at all—for the remainder of the season.
Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer weighed in on the matter, stating on his X page that blood clot treatment typically takes a minimum of three months.
This casts doubt on Lillard’s availability for the postseason.
A Strong Season Cut Short?
Despite this setback, Lillard has been a major contributor to the Bucks this season.
The nine-time All-Star has been averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range.
He has also managed to stay relatively healthy, appearing in 58 of the team’s 71 games so far.
The Bucks will now have to navigate the remainder of the season without their star guard, starting with their upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
With Lillard’s health being the priority, Milwaukee will need to adjust their game plan as they push toward the playoffs without one of their key playmakers.