The Milwaukee Bucks will reportedly head into the playoffs with one of their stars still sidelined. Guard Damian Lillard, who has been out since March 18 with blood clots, will miss the start of the NBA playoffs, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Per Charania, there is still “optimism” for Lillard to be cleared later in the playoffs. The guard is reportedly making progress with his blood clot and has been ramping up basketball activities in the past few weeks.
The Bucks, the No. 5 seed, will open the playoffs against the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers on Saturday, in a rematch of last season’s first round.
BREAKING: Damian Lillard will miss the start of the NBA playoffs (blood clot), per @ShamsCharania
Lillard has been sidelined since March 18 as doctors continue to monitor progress for clearance. The Bucks begin the first round of the playoffs Saturday against the Pacers. pic.twitter.com/HnXOBjBb0H
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 15, 2025
Lillard has sat out the past month after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. The blood clot condition is one that is oddly common among basketball players; San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with the same issue earlier this season, with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
If not treated, the condition can be life-threatening, as the clot can become dislodged and travel to the heart. The Bucks have said that Lillard has been receiving blood-thinning medication, the typical treatment for reducing blood clots, but a return timeline from the issue is often difficult to establish.
Earlier this month, Charania reported that Lillard was “hopeful” that he could be cleared for full-contact practice within the week. At the time, the clot had already decreased in size and doctors were “encouraged” by the progress.
Even though his return may be later than hoped, Lillard still has a chance to join the Bucks later on in the postseason. If Milwaukee beats Indiana, it will move on to the next round of the playoffs, facing either the Cleveland Cavaliers or one of the teams from the play-in tournament.
The Milwaukee Bucks will reportedly head into the playoffs with one of their stars still sidelined. Guard Damian Lillard, who has been out since March 18 with blood clots, will miss the start of the NBA playoffs, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Per Charania, there is still “optimism” for Lillard to be cleared later in the playoffs. The guard is reportedly making progress with his blood clot and has been ramping up basketball activities in the past few weeks.
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The Bucks, the No. 5 seed, will open the playoffs against the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers on Saturday, in a rematch of last season’s first round.
