Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers has learned to take 10-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard at his word. So when Rivers spoke with his injured 34-year-old star guard Tuesday, he wasn’t surprised to hear Lillard’s reaction to the torn left Achilles tendon that knocked him out of this year’s first-round playoff series against Indiana. “He said two things, which I love,” Rivers said. “The first one, he just said, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ Then the second one is ‘I’m not going out this way.’ I can guarantee you he won’t, and that’s what I meant about his resolve.”
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
It’s literally like a full-scale Arrested Development “I’ve made a huge mistake” insert shot from the NBA TV camera crew to put the camera on Doc Rivers here and do a slow zoom. I am dying. pic.x.com/tqOWIRxiWD – 9:06 PM
It’s literally like a full-scale Arrested Development “I’ve made a huge mistake” insert shot from the NBA TV camera crew to put the camera on Doc Rivers here and do a slow zoom. I am dying. pic.x.com/tqOWIRxiWD – 9:06 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
You hate to see that happen to Gary Trent Jr. Without him, the bucks aren’t where they are at the end. But without Lillard, Pacers are the better team. – 8:58 PM
You hate to see that happen to Gary Trent Jr. Without him, the bucks aren’t where they are at the end. But without Lillard, Pacers are the better team. – 8:58 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
What a comeback.
This goes straight to Doc Rivers’ pantheon of playoff losses. – 8:55 PM
What a comeback.
This goes straight to Doc Rivers’ pantheon of playoff losses. – 8:55 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Early coaches challenge from Doc Rivers. Calls stands — Antetokounmpo charging foul. His second. With 6:22 to go.
Bucks are out of challenges with 88% of the game left. – 6:20 PM
Early coaches challenge from Doc Rivers. Calls stands — Antetokounmpo charging foul. His second. With 6:22 to go.
Bucks are out of challenges with 88% of the game left. – 6:20 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
How Damian Lillard injury sets stage for Nets’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit
clutchpoints.com/nba/brooklyn-n… – 8:02 AM
How Damian Lillard injury sets stage for Nets’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit
clutchpoints.com/nba/brooklyn-n… – 8:02 AM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Ant taking the crown, Pistons hosed (?), Dame and Milwaukee’s future, Clips/Nuggets and more with @jadande
APPLE: tinyurl.com/3dmsz8yd
SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/23z2ztxd
YOUTUBE: youtu.be/ts_MC6Vb-Fw pic.x.com/y2hSHXfWY8 – 9:56 PM
Ant taking the crown, Pistons hosed (?), Dame and Milwaukee’s future, Clips/Nuggets and more with @jadande
APPLE: tinyurl.com/3dmsz8yd
SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/23z2ztxd
YOUTUBE: youtu.be/ts_MC6Vb-Fw pic.x.com/y2hSHXfWY8 – 9:56 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers took Monday off after their G4 win. Mathurin is questionable for Tuesday — abdominal contusion. Nesmith (lower back bruise) is probable.
Bucks have arrived in Indy. And confirmed that Dame Lillard will require surgery after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon. – 5:36 PM
Pacers took Monday off after their G4 win. Mathurin is questionable for Tuesday — abdominal contusion. Nesmith (lower back bruise) is probable.
Bucks have arrived in Indy. And confirmed that Dame Lillard will require surgery after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon. – 5:36 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Feared worst becomes reality: Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard suffers torn Achilles
Lillard is out for the remainder of the playoffs, likely most, if not all, of next season, and all of that leaves the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo at a crossroads.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/feare… – 4:11 PM
Feared worst becomes reality: Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard suffers torn Achilles
Lillard is out for the remainder of the playoffs, likely most, if not all, of next season, and all of that leaves the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo at a crossroads.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/feare… – 4:11 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Tune in to NBA Today 🚨 4-7p ET w/ @TermineRadio & @JumpShot8
🐺 Timberwolves take 3-1 series lead
😳 Controversial finish to NYK/DET
🏀 Epic ending to DEN/LAC series
🙏 Dame Lillard tears Achilles tendon
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱Call the Show: (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/irTmNWxrYp – 3:58 PM
Tune in to NBA Today 🚨 4-7p ET w/ @TermineRadio & @JumpShot8
🐺 Timberwolves take 3-1 series lead
😳 Controversial finish to NYK/DET
🏀 Epic ending to DEN/LAC series
🙏 Dame Lillard tears Achilles tendon
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱Call the Show: (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/irTmNWxrYp – 3:58 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Here is the Bucks’ official medical update on Damian Lillard: pic.x.com/Tx3scpYZTp – 3:43 PM
Here is the Bucks’ official medical update on Damian Lillard: pic.x.com/Tx3scpYZTp – 3:43 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon 🤕
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:38 PM
Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon 🤕
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 3:38 PM
David MacKay @DavidMacKayNBA
Also worth noting that DVT is a concern after tearing one’s achilles because of immobilization, so Damian Lillard may have to deal with that again if worse comes to worst. – 2:14 PM
Also worth noting that DVT is a concern after tearing one’s achilles because of immobilization, so Damian Lillard may have to deal with that again if worse comes to worst. – 2:14 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
At @TheAthletic: Damian Lillard tears Achilles, ending his season with Bucks on brink of elimination nytimes.com/athletic/63179… – 2:10 PM
At @TheAthletic: Damian Lillard tears Achilles, ending his season with Bucks on brink of elimination nytimes.com/athletic/63179… – 2:10 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
You could tell it was a torn Achilles from the way Damian Lillard reacted. We all expected this news, but it’s still devastating to hear. – 2:10 PM
You could tell it was a torn Achilles from the way Damian Lillard reacted. We all expected this news, but it’s still devastating to hear. – 2:10 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Dame this season:
24.9 PPG
7.1 APG
1.2 SPG
Out for the year. pic.x.com/rR8Hu9RFlW – 2:06 PM
Dame this season:
24.9 PPG
7.1 APG
1.2 SPG
Out for the year. pic.x.com/rR8Hu9RFlW – 2:06 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has suffered a torn Achilles, league sources tell me. pic.x.com/gfGoAueDda – 2:03 PM
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has suffered a torn Achilles, league sources tell me. pic.x.com/gfGoAueDda – 2:03 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season. pic.x.com/ysZ0nw8gxW – 2:03 PM
Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season. pic.x.com/ysZ0nw8gxW – 2:03 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
On the Haynes Briefs show, inside the most overwhelming month of Damian Lillard’s career. Subscribe. #haynesbriefs
youtube.com/watch?v=Jyvp3p… – 1:12 PM
On the Haynes Briefs show, inside the most overwhelming month of Damian Lillard’s career. Subscribe. #haynesbriefs
youtube.com/watch?v=Jyvp3p… – 1:12 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
What comes next for the Bucks after the Dame injury:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/milwauk… – 11:40 AM
What comes next for the Bucks after the Dame injury:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/milwauk… – 11:40 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Damian Lillard exits injured, Pacers and Boston get the wins and the 3-1 advantage
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 2:23 AM
Damian Lillard exits injured, Pacers and Boston get the wins and the 3-1 advantage
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 2:23 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard leaves Game 4 with suspected Achilles injury sportando.basketball/en/milwaukee-b… – 2:13 AM
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard leaves Game 4 with suspected Achilles injury sportando.basketball/en/milwaukee-b… – 2:13 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo, on what went through his mind when he saw Damian Lillard go down tonight: pic.x.com/pmVvSlAdjQ – 1:48 AM
Giannis Antetokounmpo, on what went through his mind when he saw Damian Lillard go down tonight: pic.x.com/pmVvSlAdjQ – 1:48 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Damian Lillard leaves Game 4 after a non-contact leg injury, he is feared to have torn his Achilles
nbcsports.com/nba/news/damia… – 1:01 AM
Damian Lillard leaves Game 4 after a non-contact leg injury, he is feared to have torn his Achilles
nbcsports.com/nba/news/damia… – 1:01 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Doc Rivers says MRI tomorrow for Dame. “It’s not very promising,” Rivers said.
They know. – 12:21 AM
Doc Rivers says MRI tomorrow for Dame. “It’s not very promising,” Rivers said.
They know. – 12:21 AM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Doc Rivers on Damian Lillard: “Just being honest, it’s not very promising.
“I felt bad for him, the guy tried to come back for his team…I just felt bad for him. – 12:21 AM
Doc Rivers on Damian Lillard: “Just being honest, it’s not very promising.
“I felt bad for him, the guy tried to come back for his team…I just felt bad for him. – 12:21 AM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
I thought @FanDuelSN_WI did as good a job of covering the Dame injury as you can in difficult circumstances. Didn’t sugarcoat it, showed him going to locker room even during live action. Appreciated the gravity of the moment. Good work by @LisaByington & @olskool888 and team. – 11:02 PM
I thought @FanDuelSN_WI did as good a job of covering the Dame injury as you can in difficult circumstances. Didn’t sugarcoat it, showed him going to locker room even during live action. Appreciated the gravity of the moment. Good work by @LisaByington & @olskool888 and team. – 11:02 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Bucks starting the second half with Porter Jr. for Lillard, Portis for Lopez. – 10:59 PM
Bucks starting the second half with Porter Jr. for Lillard, Portis for Lopez. – 10:59 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
What a bubble burst to see this happen to Dame and the Bucks after such an amazing run of games. Totally bummed out. – 10:49 PM
What a bubble burst to see this happen to Dame and the Bucks after such an amazing run of games. Totally bummed out. – 10:49 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Myles Turner carrying Pacers scoring
And 11-0 Pacers advantage on fast break at half
Dame injury completely takes air out of this series (and arguably this era of the Milwaukee Bucks) – 10:44 PM
Myles Turner carrying Pacers scoring
And 11-0 Pacers advantage on fast break at half
Dame injury completely takes air out of this series (and arguably this era of the Milwaukee Bucks) – 10:44 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers leading 63-52 at the break with three double-figure scorers. They had four all of last game. Turner scored 9 of their first 13.
Antetokounmpo only has 8, and his first FTs came with 3.3s left. Lillard out for the game.
Pacers in prime position to take hold of the series – 10:43 PM
Pacers leading 63-52 at the break with three double-figure scorers. They had four all of last game. Turner scored 9 of their first 13.
Antetokounmpo only has 8, and his first FTs came with 3.3s left. Lillard out for the game.
Pacers in prime position to take hold of the series – 10:43 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Lillard knew it immediately. He didn’t even try to get up. He’s dealt with left Achilles issues before, missing games in last year’s series against Indiana. You have to imagine missing all that time with the DVT on the right side meant he wasn’t in his usual shape. – 10:30 PM
Lillard knew it immediately. He didn’t even try to get up. He’s dealt with left Achilles issues before, missing games in last year’s series against Indiana. You have to imagine missing all that time with the DVT on the right side meant he wasn’t in his usual shape. – 10:30 PM
Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
Games 3 and 4 were the first games all season that neither Giannis nor Dame were on the pregame injury reports. So much for that… – 10:23 PM
Games 3 and 4 were the first games all season that neither Giannis nor Dame were on the pregame injury reports. So much for that… – 10:23 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Doc Rivers won the 2008 championship and has seen one of his key players suffer a critical injury in almost every postseason ever since. – 10:21 PM
Doc Rivers won the 2008 championship and has seen one of his key players suffer a critical injury in almost every postseason ever since. – 10:21 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Bucks announce Damian Lillard is out for the remainder of Game 4 with a left lower leg injury – 10:17 PM
Bucks announce Damian Lillard is out for the remainder of Game 4 with a left lower leg injury – 10:17 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will not return tonight against the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell me. Injury potentially severe. – 10:09 PM
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will not return tonight against the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell me. Injury potentially severe. – 10:09 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
If what we fear is true Damian Lillard at 34 years old has a tough comeback. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have both recovered but both were 30 years old when the injury happened. Track record on older players is tough – 10:04 PM
If what we fear is true Damian Lillard at 34 years old has a tough comeback. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have both recovered but both were 30 years old when the injury happened. Track record on older players is tough – 10:04 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Sadly, most likely the Achilles for Dame. Brutal for him and the Bucks. What a rough couple years for him.
pic.x.com/xDWnaDQuy4 – 10:03 PM
Sadly, most likely the Achilles for Dame. Brutal for him and the Bucks. What a rough couple years for him.
pic.x.com/xDWnaDQuy4 – 10:03 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Non-contact injury for Damian Lillard. Immediately clutched the back of his left foot, sure looks like a possible Achilles injury. – 9:56 PM
Non-contact injury for Damian Lillard. Immediately clutched the back of his left foot, sure looks like a possible Achilles injury. – 9:56 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Damian Lillard somehow recovered quickly enough from a blood clot to return for the playoffs.
@JimOwczarski tells @TheJaxShow and @DarthAmin he can’t believe the turnaround. pic.x.com/cngboaPfXs – 7:32 PM
Damian Lillard somehow recovered quickly enough from a blood clot to return for the playoffs.
@JimOwczarski tells @TheJaxShow and @DarthAmin he can’t believe the turnaround. pic.x.com/cngboaPfXs – 7:32 PM
More on this storyline
So when Rivers spoke with his injured 34-year-old star guard Tuesday, he wasn’t surprised to hear Lillard’s reaction to the torn left Achilles tendon that knocked him out of this year’s first-round playoff series against Indiana. “He said two things, which I love,” Rivers said. “The first one, he just said, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ Then the second one is ‘I’m not going out this way.’ I can guarantee you he won’t, and that’s what I meant about his resolve.” -via ESPN / April 29, 2025
Chris Haynes: And, you know, my phone’s been blowing up with players — star players to household name players — reaching out and asking for Dame’s number and facilitating that so they can get in touch with him themselves. So the outpouring — you see the basketball community come together. As competitive as they are, when injuries come about, they come together. And that is truly a pretty cool sight to behold once that takes place, considering the nature of what’s going on. -via YouTube / April 29, 2025
Chris Haynes on Damian Lillard: He’s in good spirits. He’s motivated. He’s confident that he’s going to attack this recovery and come back a better player. And I believe him because I’ve known him for over a decade and I’ve seen the work that he puts in from behind the scenes. He’s going to do great things. Definitely a tough blow — definitely a tough blow — but he sees it. He’s read texts and listened to some voicemails of people who have reached out, and that’s definitely comforting to see. -via YouTube / April 29, 2025