Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is set to miss the start of the NBA playoffs as he continues to recover from a blood clot.
Lillard, who has been sidelined with the problem since March 18, was forced to take blood-thinning medication to stabilize the clot in his right calf last month.
Despite making ‘significant progress’ in recent weeks, the 34-year-old will not be involved in the early stages of Milwaukee’s postseason run, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Bucks are set to face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year’s playoffs, with Game 1 to come at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Team officials are reportedly optimistic that Lillard, who is continuing to increase his basketball activity this week, will be involved at some point in their playoff campaign.
‘It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up. Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety,’ he told reporter Chris Haynes last month.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is set to miss the start of this season’s NBA playoffs
‘As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m grateful the Bucks acted quickly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive throughout this process. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career.’
The Bucks enter the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed after finishing with a 48-34 record in the regular season.
Lillard, a nine-time All-Star, was having a strong season before suffering the major health scare.
In 58 appearances, he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range.
He had been mostly healthy this season outside of the blood clot after playing in 82 percent of Milwaukee’s fixtures up until that point.
Despite optimism from the team, there are fears that Lillard may not be back on the court until next season.
Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor, said on X last month that treatment for blood clots is typically a minimum of three months, casting doubt over his chances of returning this year.
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