Veteran point guard Damian Lillard is set to return this season after being sidelined due to complications from deep vein thrombosis. In an unprecedented case, Lillard has been cleared to play by the Bucks just 14 games after his initial diagnosis.
“Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication,” sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Doctors have told Bucks officials that the speed of Lillard’s recovery has never been seen before, but it occurred because of early treatment, detection, and specialists working on him before a formal diagnosis.”
After finishing fifth in the East, the Bucks are set to face the Indiana Pacers in the first round, and it’s going to be a major challenge for the organization. While Lillard is expected to make his return at some point in the first round, it won’t be in Game 1 as he takes time to ease back into the action.
“Lillard will not play Saturday for Game 1 of the Bucks’ playoff series against the Indiana Pacers,” wrote Shams, “and sources told ESPN the veteran guard will have a period of time to resume contact workouts and ramp up for a return.”
Lillard, 34, was the second player this season to be diagnosed with blood clots due to deep vein thrombosis. Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was the first, and he was shut down for the season to ensure a full recovery.
In Lillard’s case, he got out in front of the injury by planning ahead. With the help of experts, he was able to catch it early and develop an effective plan to speed up the recovery process. At full health once again, Lillard can return to the fold in Milwaukee, and it won’t be a moment too soon for the Bucks.
After finishing 48-34, one game worse than last season, Milwaukee will be starting the playoffs as underdogs in the East, and they won’t have home-court advantage to help give them an edge. Without Khris Middleton, the only hope of victory for the Bucks is elite play from Giannis and Lillard.
As a 2x MVP and NBA champion, we already know what to expect from Giannis, and we know that he will deliver. That puts the pressure on Lillard to live up to his six-year, $258 million deal.
On the court, Lillard has been elite for the Bucks this season with averages of 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 44.8% shooting. As one of their leading scorers and playmakers, Lillard has helped the Bucks to the 11th-best offense in the league, but the work is only just beginning.
With nothing to show for his Bucks tenure so far, Lillard is desperate to make a run this year, but the margin for error will be slim against teams like the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Knicks. With Dame back in the fold, the Bucks are confident that they can push any opponent to the brink, but they must first get past the Pacers in round one.
The series begins tomorrow at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Bucks will have to find a way to keep up without their leading point guard. Fortunately, his recovery has been historically fast, and it means the Bucks will be at their best for at least most of the first round.
