Just over a month ago, the Milwaukee Bucks announced that Damian Lillard would be sidelined indefinitely from NBA action after being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. The news initially sparked serious concern—not only for his short-term availability, but also for the long-term outlook of the star guard’s career. However, just days before the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers tips off, the team received a wave of optimism.
“Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication,” reporter Shams Charania posted Thursday on his official X account.
According to ESPN, doctors overseeing Lillard’s treatment were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the 34-year-old recovered. Much of the success, they explained, was due to the early detection of the condition and the swift implementation of the medical plan that followed.
Lillard’s rapid recovery is especially notable when compared to similar recent cases in the NBA. The latest was that of San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in mid-February and was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Bucks stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Looking further back, the most well-known case remains that of Chris Bosh, who battled similar health issues during his final years with the Miami Heat—an ordeal that ultimately led to his retirement in 2019.
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Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard opens up on retirement plans amid blood clot issues
Will Lillard play against Indiana?
The announcement of Damian Lillard’s medical clearance came just two days before Milwaukee’s playoff debut. The Bucks will face the Indiana Pacers in the opening round, with Game 1 set for Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“Lillard is out for Game 1 Saturday against Indiana and will have a period of time to resume contact workouts and ramp up for return,” Shams Charania confirmed Thursday on his official X account.
The big question now is how long it will take for Damian Lillard to regain peak physical form after spending over a month recovering from the deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. For now, the series against Indiana is guaranteed to run through at least Sunday, April 27, giving the guard a 10-day window to try and return to game shape.
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Does Damian Lillard’s return make the Bucks legitimate championship contenders?
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