Damian Lillard News Drops on Playing Status for Game 2 of Bucks-Pacers Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 8:00 AM ET

After a disappointing offensive performance in the Game 1 defeat against the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks fans will be relieved to hear the good news about Damian Lillard.

The 6-foot-2 guard was cleared to play a few days back. Now, he is set to make a comeback on the court for the Bucks in Game 2 or 3. The Bucks felt Lillard's absence in Game 1, suffering a 117-98 loss.

"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," Shams Charania wrote on April 19.

"Great, great news. Happy for him that he's healthy, he's clear now, he's able to come back and play basketball again," Giannis Antetokounmpo said of Lillard on Saturday. "He elevates our team. He's one of the best players, still, in the league."

"Hopefully whenever he is ready -- I don't know when that's going to be, Game 5, Game 6, Game 4 -- I don't know what that's going to be. Hopefully he can come back and elevate our team and help us win games." He added

Giannis finished with 36 PTS and 12 REB today. pic.twitter.com/vOKkmJ2iN2
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 19, 2025

Antetokounmpo put 36 points on the board for Milwaukee but received no support from his offensive starters. Even the bench together could add 41 points to the total. Head Coach Doc Rivers was really unhappy with the team's performance post-game.

"I thought our offense was awful." Rivers said. I thought our offense contributed to our defense as anything. We just didn't play the way we've played during this stretch offensively. And I thought we had a lot of missed shot, which allowed them to have a lot of break outs."

With all eyes now on Game 2, Lillard's return could finally turn the tables at Indianapolis this Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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