INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — After a month of recovery from a serious health scare, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is set to make a triumphant return to the court. Coach Doc Rivers confirmed that the nine-time All-Star will start on Tuesday night when the Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series. This comes after the Pacers secured a commanding 117-98 victory in Game 1, leaving the Bucks eager to even the series.
Lillard has been rehabilitating from deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, a condition that typically sidelines athletes for extended periods due to significant health risks. “I’m playing,” Lillard declared after the team’s morning shootaround. “Not knowing if I was going to be able to come back this season, I was able to lift, which was good, I was able to keep my body strong. But it was weeks and weeks and weeks before they even allowed me to jump and do stuff on the court.”
As the Bucks prepared for Game 2, team officials announced Lillard's availability via social media, having upgraded his status from questionable. The Pacers, meanwhile, opted out of a morning shootaround and will hold interviews later in the day.
Lillard has not played since March 18, when he was initially diagnosed with right leg muscle soreness, which later evolved into calf soreness. It was only after further testing that the blood-clotting disorder was revealed, prompting a more serious approach to his recovery. Remarkably, Lillard was able to return to action in just a few weeks, a feat that raises questions about his readiness for the intense playoff atmosphere.
“I’ve never tried to come back so soon after missing so much time with an injury,” Lillard admitted. He expressed uncertainty about how his body would respond under game conditions, although he noted that he was not on a formal minutes restriction. Lillard plans to communicate with Rivers throughout the game to monitor how he’s feeling, especially after having only practiced for three days prior to his return.
Rivers shared his concerns, stating, “When you hear blood clot, the last thing you think is him playing again, maybe not ever, let alone in the playoffs. Dame called me and said, ‘I’m playing.' A lot of people wouldn't go out there without the practice ... but he says he wants to play, and we're all good with it.”
The Bucks are counting on Lillard's return to help turn the tide in this playoff series. In Game 1, Milwaukee struggled significantly, shooting just 9 of 37 from three-point range, with four of their starters combining for a mere 14 points. Lillard's scoring ability will be crucial; during the regular season, he averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds against the Pacers, shooting 35.5% overall and 38.9% from beyond the arc. In last year's playoffs against Indiana, Lillard was even more prolific, averaging 31.3 points per game, although the Pacers ultimately won that series 4-2.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Game 1, expressed excitement about Lillard's return. “Happy for him, like that he's healthy, he's clear now, he's able to come back and play basketball again,” Antetokounmpo said. “He is one of the best players still in the league. Hopefully, whenever he's ready — I don't know if that's Game 5, Game 6, Game 4 — hopefully he can come back and elevate this team and help us win games.”
Lillard shares that sentiment, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “I wanted to get up and down the court a little more, do some bumping, get over some screens and let my body get used to it so I don't go out there and hurt myself after not being out there for so long,” he said. “I don't think it's ever going to be perfect (timing). You miss that much time, then you come back into an intense environment. But I've got to go out there and break myself in and I think that's better to do early in the series than later.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is preparing his team to face a rejuvenated Lillard. “He's a great player and one thing that resonates with me is that he's been out for a while and all that,” Carlisle said. “But never underestimate greatness.”
As the Bucks get ready for Game 2, all eyes will be on Lillard as he steps back onto the court, eager to contribute to his team's playoff push and prove that he can overcome the odds stacked against him. With the series hanging in the balance, Lillard's performance could very well determine the outcome of this pivotal matchup.
The stakes are high as the Bucks look to bounce back and even the series against a formidable Pacers team. The action is set to unfold at 7:00 PM ET, and fans are eager to see if Lillard can indeed make a significant impact in his return.
