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Major Damian Lillard Injury Update - Potential Playoff Status For Bucks Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By James Morgan | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 12:50 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without star point guard Damian Lillard as they begin their NBA Playoff run. The No. 5 seed Bucks open the postseason against the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. ET.

The Bucks have been without Lillard since March 18. Lillard has a blood clot in his calf and has not been cleared to return to game action. However, he has been making progress and recently returned to shooting.

"Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard (blood clot) will miss the start of the NBA playoffs," said ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania via social media.

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard (blood clot) will miss the start of the NBA playoffs, sources tell ESPN. Bucks play Game 1 of the first round against the Pacers on Saturday. Lillard has been sidelined since March 18, and doctors continue to monitor progress for clearance. pic.twitter.com/W8CqbSt3G1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2025

Lillard's injury is significant for the Bucks, who enter the playoffs on a eight game winning streak. However, the Bucks have less premier offensive options with Lillard out.

Lillard averaged 24.9 points (10th in the NBA), 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists (10th in the NBA) per game for the Bucks during the regular season. His absence puts more pressure and takes away spacing from Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

"Lillard has, however, made significant progress with the blood clot and there remains optimism for his clearance at some point in the playoffs," added Charania. "He is continuing to increase basketball activity this week."

The Bucks will have trouble scoring on pace with the Pacers' high-octane offense, but if Milwaukee can survive its first-round series, then the Bucks could be face the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bucks won three of the four regular seasons meetings against the Indiana Pacers. However, the Bucks had Damian Lillard for all four meetings.

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

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