Damian Lillard Will Not Play in the NBA Playoffs

According to ESPN, Milwaukee Bucks player Damian Lillard will not play in the NBA playoffs due of a blood clot in his right calf.

On Saturday, the Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their first-round series. According to sources, doctors evaluating Lillard, who hasn’t played since March 18, think the veteran guard is making great strides in his recovery from the calf blood clot. Lillard has not been given the all-clear to start playing basketball again.

Lillard’s “significant improvement on his deep vein thrombosis” was reported by the Bucks on Tuesday, and the nine-time All-Star will be playing more on the court. The team did not provide a specific return date for Lillard.

Bucks release a statement on Damian Lillard

In a release, Bucks general manager Jon Horst said: “Damian’s most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity,”.

“Damian’s health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian’s progress.”

Last month, the Bucks declared that 34-year-old Lillard would be out indefinitely. Horst added that the Bucks would “support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play.” At the time, the organization stated that Lillard had been stabilizing the clot using a blood-thinning medication.

Earlier this month, Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism that Lillard would make a comeback, but he also stated the team was ready for the nine-time All-Star to miss the remainder of the campaign.

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