Damian Lillard Sends Strong Message Ahead of Bucks Playoff Game

As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to face the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, Damian Lillard is entering the postseason with a fresh perspective—and a powerful message.

Reflecting on a recent health scare that kept him off the floor, Lillard opened up about how the experience gave him a new outlook.

“Looking at the time that I spent, you know, just not playing and the millions of thoughts that went through my head... I was panicking,” Lillard said. “My back randomly started hurting. My chest started hurting. I'm like, man, is it moving? I'm thinking all kinds of stuff.”

The Bucks guard admitted he had moments of real fear, unsure of what was happening or how serious it might be.

“You just never know when something could come up and change your life,” Lillard said. “There’s been guys like Chris Bosh who’ve dealt with this, and then it’s another issue, and it could be a career-ending thing.”

Lillard, now feeling better and ready to lead Milwaukee into the postseason, said the episode reminded him not to take anything for granted—not his health, not the game, not the opportunity to compete.

“You can’t take days and opportunities and things in your life for granted,” he added.