Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard Injury Update: Will Bucks Star Return for NBA Playoffs Matchup against Pacers?

Lillard averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in four games against the Pacers this season.

Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks will kick off their 2024-25 playoff campaign against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Ahead of the crucial first game of the best-of-7 series, the Bucks got a massive boost as their key guard, Damian Lillard, is off blood-thinning medication and cleared to play soon. It’s a big update in his return from the deep vein thrombosis, which ruled him out for the last month.

The seven-time all-NBA has completed the recovery process and started practising for the playoff round. Despite the absence of Lillard, Milwaukee finished fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and will open its postseason campaign against the fourth-seeded Pacers in Indianapolis.

UPDATE: Damian Lillard has been cleared for full basketball activity as the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf has resolved and he is no longer on blood-thinning medication.

“We’re thrilled for Dame,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “Our priority has always been…
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 17, 2025

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“This could have been career threatening,” Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said Thursday. “Or it was. The fact there’s a very good chance he’s going to play in the playoffs for us, that’s a godsend.”

When Will Lillard Return for Bucks in NBA Playoffs?

Damian Lillard hasn’t played for the Bucks since March 18. After an injury concern, the franchise announced that he had deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and was undergoing blood-thinning medication. His latest medical update has given a slice of happiness to the Bucks, who aim to replicate the 2020-21 season.

“We’re thrilled for Dame,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “Our priority has always been Dame’s health. We’re grateful to our medical team for diagnosing and treating his DVT at an early stage, and for the world-renowned hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic. Every step of Dame’s recovery has been at the direction of world-class medical professionals and their specific and strict protocols that have allowed for Dame’s safe and healthy return to play.”

There is no clear update on Lillard’s return to the Bucks’ lineup. The 2024 NBA Cup winner was seen in his team’s Thursday practice. The 34-year-old will remain out form the opener of the first-round playoff series but will be back later in the seven-game series.

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Milwaukee’s coach is not clear about his return, but he’s hoping Lillard could return at some point in this series, but added, “I just don’t know.”

The Milwaukee Bucks went 10-4 without Damian Lillard and own the longest current winning streak of the season. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game this season. He ranked 10th in scoring and assists both in the 2024-25 regular season.

The Bucks met the Pacers in the first round last season, and Indiana advanced to the conference semifinals with a 4-2 victory. However, Milwaukee posted a 3-1 record against Indiana in the regular-season series, and Lillard averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in four games.

Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard

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Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.