Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is expected to return to action next week in Game 2 or Game 3 of the team’s first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, sources told ESPN. The Bucks play Game 1 on Saturday in Indianapolis and Game 2 on Tuesday – before the series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Friday. After being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf just over three weeks ago, Lillard made an unprecedented recovery and was cleared from the deep vein thrombosis and stopped blood-thinning medication on Thursday. Lillard participated in his first full practice Thursday and was expected to use a period of several days to ramp up his contact workouts for a return. At this point, Lillard’s comeback is about finding his basketball stamina.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Rick Carlisle praised several players postgame and made clear they have a long way to go.
“These guys cause so many problems & we’re talking about a game where Lillard didn’t even play yet.”
He wants them to take better shots, defend w/o fouling, and be more prepared for zone – 6:03 PM
Rick Carlisle praised several players postgame and made clear they have a long way to go.
“These guys cause so many problems & we’re talking about a game where Lillard didn’t even play yet.”
He wants them to take better shots, defend w/o fouling, and be more prepared for zone – 6:03 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Damian Lillard today:
1 — Technical foul
0 — Minutes played pic.x.com/X6cl0viQf2 – 3:37 PM
Damian Lillard today:
1 — Technical foul
0 — Minutes played pic.x.com/X6cl0viQf2 – 3:37 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Lillard has some words for Haliburton during the timeout as the Bucks are challenging the call. Not sure what he’s upset about.
Siakam and Lillard each given a technical foul. – 3:36 PM
Lillard has some words for Haliburton during the timeout as the Bucks are challenging the call. Not sure what he’s upset about.
Siakam and Lillard each given a technical foul. – 3:36 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Just in on NBA Countdown – Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is expected to make his return in Game 2 or Game 3 of series against the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN: pic.x.com/RNHT5eHfPl – 12:13 PM
Just in on NBA Countdown – Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is expected to make his return in Game 2 or Game 3 of series against the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN: pic.x.com/RNHT5eHfPl – 12:13 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers v Bucks R1G1
– Officials: Josh Tiven, Curtis Blair, Tre Maddox
– Injuries: Sheppard probable; Lillard and Smith out
– Uniforms: Pacers in white (City), Bucks in black (Statement)
– TV: ESPN, FDSN
– Adam Silver present
– It’s meeting No. 16 in a year; MIL 3-1 this season – 10:43 AM
Pacers v Bucks R1G1
– Officials: Josh Tiven, Curtis Blair, Tre Maddox
– Injuries: Sheppard probable; Lillard and Smith out
– Uniforms: Pacers in white (City), Bucks in black (Statement)
– TV: ESPN, FDSN
– Adam Silver present
– It’s meeting No. 16 in a year; MIL 3-1 this season – 10:43 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Damian Lillard spoke with reporters today for the first time since being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis blood clot in his right calf.
At @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/62908… – 5:52 PM
Damian Lillard spoke with reporters today for the first time since being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis blood clot in his right calf.
At @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/62908… – 5:52 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🩷 NBA draft prospect Dame Sarr appreciates developing with Barcelona
“The last month has brought some challenges, I want to be clear that they do not diminish the love and admiration I feel for this club”
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 9:47 AM
🩷 NBA draft prospect Dame Sarr appreciates developing with Barcelona
“The last month has brought some challenges, I want to be clear that they do not diminish the love and admiration I feel for this club”
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 9:47 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Dame Sarr: Difficult moments are part of any journey, but they do not define it sportando.basketball/en/dame-sarr-d… – 7:48 AM
Dame Sarr: Difficult moments are part of any journey, but they do not define it sportando.basketball/en/dame-sarr-d… – 7:48 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Damian Lillard cleared of DVT, off blood thinners, nearing return sportando.basketball/en/damian-lill… – 1:58 AM
Damian Lillard cleared of DVT, off blood thinners, nearing return sportando.basketball/en/damian-lill… – 1:58 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Damian Lillard returned to practice today for the Bucks.
“Today, he did everything. There’s no limitations at all, you know, other than his lungs and timing and everything else.” – Doc Rivers
On Lillard’s return, at @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/62877… – 4:04 PM
Damian Lillard returned to practice today for the Bucks.
“Today, he did everything. There’s no limitations at all, you know, other than his lungs and timing and everything else.” – Doc Rivers
On Lillard’s return, at @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/62877… – 4:04 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Bucks vs Pacers recent history:
— Pacers beat Bucks in first IST semis
— Haliburton does Dame Time celebration
— Giannis drops career-high on Pacers
— Game ball incident
— Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs
— Hali 4-point play to beat the Bucks
🍿🍿🍿 pic.x.com/I2R72g1xET – 2:55 PM
Bucks vs Pacers recent history:
— Pacers beat Bucks in first IST semis
— Haliburton does Dame Time celebration
— Giannis drops career-high on Pacers
— Game ball incident
— Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs
— Hali 4-point play to beat the Bucks
🍿🍿🍿 pic.x.com/I2R72g1xET – 2:55 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
At @TheAthletic: Damian Lillard cleared of blood clots in calf, back at Bucks practice ahead of playoffs nytimes.com/athletic/62877… – 2:33 PM
At @TheAthletic: Damian Lillard cleared of blood clots in calf, back at Bucks practice ahead of playoffs nytimes.com/athletic/62877… – 2:33 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Damian Lillard is cleared for full basketball activity, expected to rejoin the Bucks for their first-round series against the Pacers (however, he will not play in Game 1 on Saturday).
nbcsports.com/nba/news/damia… – 2:31 PM
Damian Lillard is cleared for full basketball activity, expected to rejoin the Bucks for their first-round series against the Pacers (however, he will not play in Game 1 on Saturday).
nbcsports.com/nba/news/damia… – 2:31 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Here is the Bucks’ official update on Damian Lillard: pic.x.com/vBegaqEGj3 – 2:14 PM
Here is the Bucks’ official update on Damian Lillard: pic.x.com/vBegaqEGj3 – 2:14 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Damian Lillard medically cleared, expected to return after Game 1 of the playoffs with no clear timetable yet
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 1:40 PM
Damian Lillard medically cleared, expected to return after Game 1 of the playoffs with no clear timetable yet
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 1:40 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Amazing: Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication, sources tell ESPN. Lillard is out for Game 1 Saturday against Indiana and will have a period of time to resume contact workouts and ramp up for return. pic.x.com/fbeQg0mvsn – 1:30 PM
Amazing: Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication, sources tell ESPN. Lillard is out for Game 1 Saturday against Indiana and will have a period of time to resume contact workouts and ramp up for return. pic.x.com/fbeQg0mvsn – 1:30 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Dame Sarr was released by FC Barcelona
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 11:32 AM
Dame Sarr was released by FC Barcelona
eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/… – 11:32 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Dame Sarr, Barcelona officially part ways sportando.basketball/en/dame-sarr-b… – 10:29 AM
Dame Sarr, Barcelona officially part ways sportando.basketball/en/dame-sarr-b… – 10:29 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Dame Sarr has officially parted ways with Barcelona.
The NBA Draft-eligible prospect, also targeted by top NCAA programs, recently impressed with 17 points at the Nike Hoop Summit. – 10:18 AM
Dame Sarr has officially parted ways with Barcelona.
The NBA Draft-eligible prospect, also targeted by top NCAA programs, recently impressed with 17 points at the Nike Hoop Summit. – 10:18 AM
Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
From the “don’t shoot the messenger” files:
Current starting 5 that everyone hates (Rollins/TP/Kuz/Giannis/Brook) is +13.0 w/130 ORTG in 294 poss. The version w/Dame also put up solid numbers (+6.7 in 428 poss). I’m chalking it up to Giannis being that good pic.x.com/xAXDllJsjD – 8:02 PM
From the “don’t shoot the messenger” files:
Current starting 5 that everyone hates (Rollins/TP/Kuz/Giannis/Brook) is +13.0 w/130 ORTG in 294 poss. The version w/Dame also put up solid numbers (+6.7 in 428 poss). I’m chalking it up to Giannis being that good pic.x.com/xAXDllJsjD – 8:02 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Bucks and Pacers will face off in the first round of the #NBAPlayoffs
Doc Rivers joined @TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine to talk about Giannis’ impact since Damian Lillard has been out
@Bucks | @BucksPR pic.x.com/WnbngfMZvA – 5:10 PM
The Bucks and Pacers will face off in the first round of the #NBAPlayoffs
Doc Rivers joined @TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine to talk about Giannis’ impact since Damian Lillard has been out
@Bucks | @BucksPR pic.x.com/WnbngfMZvA – 5:10 PM
More on this storyline
Scott Agness: Lillard has some words for Haliburton during the timeout as the Bucks are challenging the call. Not sure what he’s upset about. Siakam and Lillard each given a technical foul. -via x.com / April 19, 2025
“It was a little bit scary,” Lillard said on Friday. “I think I’ve had a couple of surgeries in my career. I’ve had things I’ve had to deal with, you know, with an ankle or a knee, Achilles, calf, whatever it might be. But those are all things that you go to rehab, you deal with it like that, like an athlete would. “I’m thinking that’s what I was going into, and then you see a blood clot. Obviously, that’s a thing that can affect your life.” -via New York Times / April 18, 2025
Scott Agness: Official injury report for Pacers-Bucks Game 1: Ben Sheppard (left great toe sprain) is probable. He sat out the final five games of the regular season. Damian Lillard (reconditioning) and Tyler Smith (left ankle sprain) are out. -via Twitter @ScottAgness / April 18, 2025