The Milwaukee Bucks received a crushing blow on Sunday night as star guard Damian Lillard got hurt with a lower left leg injury in Game 4 of their first-round playoff game against the Indiana Pacers. The injury happened mid-first quarter, dramatically altering the evening’s tone for Milwaukee.
Lillard’s Injury Details
Lillard’s injury was non-contact in nature. He was standing behind the 3-point line on the top of the key as the ball rolled in his direction. Lillard tipped the ball in the direction of teammate Gary Trent Jr. with his left hand but immediately clutched the lower portion of his left leg around the ankle and fell to the ground.
Play resumed at the other end, but as soon as there was a foul called, Milwaukee’s Kyle Kuzma assisted Lillard to his feet. Limping severely, Lillard was led off the floor and taken directly to the locker room. The Bucks subsequently reported that Lillard would not continue playing.
A Troubling Sign for Milwaukee
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said according to the early signs following the injury, these were not encouraging. Rivers reacted to the match and he says that they’re going to take an image tomorrow.
The Associated Press has received an update from a source that there is concern regarding a possible Achilles tendon injury. However, nothing is confirmed and it will have to be determined after evaluation.
Recent Battle with Health Issues
This is even more tragic considering Lillard’s recent health struggles. He had only just returned from the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf, an injury that caused him to sit out the Bucks’ last 14 games of the regular season and Game 1 of this postseason series.
Cleared to return to basketball activity after recovering from blood-thinning medication, Lillard had played Games 2 and 3, aiding the Bucks in their comeback bid in the series. His presence on the court had been essential, and his abrupt departure leaves a huge void in Milwaukee’s playoff aspirations.
A History of Bad Luck for the Bucks
The Bucks have had major playoff injuries in recent years. In 2022, Khris Middleton sat out the entire second-round series against Boston with a sprained MCL. Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo strained his lower back and sat out key games, resulting in a first-round defeat to Miami.
Even sooner in this same Indiana series, Giannis sat out with a calf strain. Now with Lillard likely having a severe Achilles injury, Milwaukee’s injury bad luck continues to plague them in the most pivotal stretch of the season.
Game 4 Impact
Without Lillard, the Bucks had a tough time in Game 4. Indiana controlled the game from beginning to end. They claimed a decisive 129-103 victory to establish a 3-1 series advantage. Gary Trent Jr. attempted to get the offense going. But, Milwaukee obviously missed their All-Star guard’s scoring and leadership.
The loss leaves Milwaukee in a precarious situation heading into a do-or-die Game 5. Without Lillard, and perhaps without Giannis the path to survival looks very tall for Doc Rivers’ team.
What’s Next?
A formal diagnosis of Lillard’s injury is imminent, following imaging examinations that are planned for Monday. If the injury turns out to be an Achilles tear, it could have huge implications not just for the rest of the playoffs but also for next season in the NBA.
For the moment, the Bucks and their faithful hold their breath, praying for a miracle and preparing themselves for worst-case scenarios. Losing Damian Lillard at this point would be a harsh irony for a team that was dreaming of championship glory.
