Damian Lillard injury update: Bucks announce star guard out indefinitely with scary medical issue

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard is out indefinitely with deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf, the team announced Tuesday. Lillard is currently on blood thinning medication in effort to stabilize the DVT.

“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” general manager Jon Horst said in the announcement. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”

Lillard last played a week ago on March 18 and has sat out the past three games. Milwaukee currently sits at 40-31 on the season and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

It is not the only time this season that a star player has received a diagnosis of blood clotting issues. San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was shut down for the season earlier this year after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

Lillard is in his 13th NBA season overall and his second with the Bucks. He has averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game in 58 appearances so far this season. He earned the ninth All-Star appearance of his career in February.

Ryan Rollins has received a start in each of the past three games that Lillard has missed, while Kevin Porter Jr. has also seen increased minutes off the bench. Milwaukee has gone 2-1 in that span and will hope to continue fighting for positioning in the playoffs.

That will be difficult without Lillard, who has been the team’s No. 2 behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are also without Bobby Portis until at least April 8th as he serves the remainder of a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s banned substance policy.

The regular season ends on April 13 with the play-in games set to follow two days later on April 15. That in mind, Lillard will have roughly three weeks to get his health in game shape before the postseason begins.

Milwaukee is currently in position to avoid the play-in and secure a top six seed. The Bucks have a comfortable five-game lead on the seventh-place Hawks, though are just a half-game up on No. 6 Detroit. If they secure a spot in the top six, that would give Damian Lillard around a month to prepare for the playoffs.