Lillard was identified with deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf, also called a blood clot. He’ll be handled with blood thinners, however these include dangers, particularly elevated bleeding for any reduce or additional harm.
Meaning Lillard is out indefinitely, although an unnamed source told Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic that “there may be an excessive amount of optimism that he’ll return this season.”
Even earlier than Lillard’s setback, the Bucks have been 14th in offensive ranking. Subtracting Lillard and his 24.9 factors per sport will not assist that, nor will shedding his 7.1 assists, contemplating the Bucks are twenty third in assists already. The Bucks are third in three-point share, however Lillard has accounted for nearly 20 p.c of his group’s threes.
It was a part of the gamble of sending an enormous package deal of property — Jrue Vacation, Grayson Allen and three first-round picks — to get the then-33-year-old All-Star. Final season, the Bucks completed third within the East, however Lillard missed two playoff video games with an harm, whereas Giannis Antetokounmpo missed all the first-round collection loss to the Indiana Pacers.
This season, they’re in fifth, just about tied with the Detroit Pistons. If the Pistons go them, that units up a first-round matchup with the third-place New York Knicks, who beat them by 22 factors of their first assembly this season, and by 34 factors in the second. The Bucks face them once more, with out Lillard, on Friday.
They nonetheless have Antetokounmpo, one of many NBA’s greatest gamers. However since profitable all of it in 2021, the Bucks have not received a playoff collection. In the event that they crash out of the playoffs within the first spherical once more, it is exhausting to nonetheless think about them an elite group. Particularly when the core of the group subsequent season features a 35-year-old Lillard and Brook Lopez, who turns 37 on April 1.
With few commerce property and two huge contracts — Lillard and Antetokounmpo are every receiving $54.1M subsequent season — there could possibly be massive modifications this summer time, together with head coach Doc Rivers. Antetokounmpo may even develop into out there.
The Bucks went all-in with the Lillard commerce. If he cannot play once more this season, Milwaukee could also be all out of choices with this core.
