Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard will be sidelined indefinitely due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf. This was announced by the team on Tuesday night, revealing that Lillard is currently undergoing treatment with blood-thinning medication.
The Bucks did not provide a timeline for Lillard’s return, leaving fans and analysts alike speculating about the impact on the team’s performance. Lillard has already missed the last three games as the Bucks wrap up a five-game road trip with a match against Denver on Wednesday.
Deep vein thrombosis involves the formation of a blood clot in a vein, which can pose serious health risks if not properly managed.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” stated Bucks general manager Jon Horst. “We will support him through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are grateful that this was identified and treated quickly, which aids in his recovery.”
The team has confirmed that Lillard’s medication has stabilized the thrombosis, and he will continue to undergo regular testing to monitor his condition.
At 34, Lillard is the second prominent player this season to be diagnosed with DVT. Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs was similarly affected, diagnosed with DVT in his shoulder after returning from the All-Star Game last month. Like Lillard, he is also on blood-thinning medication, but medical professionals have assured the Spurs that his long-term health remains secure.
Historically, DVT has impacted several NBA players, including Chris Bosh, whose career ended prematurely due to blood clots while with Miami. Brandon Ingram’s 2018-19 season was cut short because of DVT, and Ausar Thompson of Detroit recently faced a similar issue that sidelined him at the end of the 2023-24 season.
DVT typically occurs in the lower leg, making Lillard’s diagnosis in his calf not unexpected.
This injury disrupts what was shaping up to be a remarkable season for Lillard, who earned his ninth All-Star selection and was ranked 10th in the NBA in assists (7.1) and 11th in scoring (24.9).
The Bucks now face the possibility of entering the playoffs without one of their two superstars for the second consecutive year. Last season, they were eliminated in the first round after two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was unable to play due to a calf injury, resulting in a 4-2 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
As of now, the Bucks (40-31) sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, two games behind fourth-place Indiana and a half-game ahead of sixth-place Detroit. The top four teams secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, making every game critical for Milwaukee as they navigate this challenging period.
