MILWAUKEE — There’s good news coming from Bucks camp as guard Damian Lillard has officially been cleared of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf, and he is off the blood-thinning medication that was necessary during his recovery, according to the team. However, while Lillard has made significant strides, he won’t be suiting up for Game 1 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, leaving his availability for Game 2 still uncertain.
In recent developments, Lillard participated in a three-on-three session on Wednesday and took to the court fully during Thursday’s practice. Head coach Doc Rivers provided some insight, stating, “Today, he did everything. There are no limitations at all, you know, other than his lungs and timing and everything else.”
However, Rivers tempered expectations, noting the practice didn’t involve much five-on-five action, which makes it challenging to predict when Lillard might return to game action. “You don’t miss all that and just jump back in,” Rivers explained. “It’s just gonna take a minute. I mean, it’s not like he’s been injured and working out. He’s been injured — and that’s what we can call it now, I guess — without working out, that’s hard.”
This quick turnaround in Lillard’s recovery is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s one of the fastest recoveries from a DVT in NBA history. The nine-time All-Star was diagnosed with the blood clot in his right calf back on March 25, and his return could be pivotal as the playoffs unfold.
The unpredictability of recovery from a blood clot was previously highlighted by cardiologist Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, who pointed out that the timeframe for recovery can range anywhere from three months to a year. Given this uncertainty, teams are often cautious about setting a timeline. “I can’t give you a timeline,” is likely every doctor’s response, as such health concerns can vary greatly from player to player.
Lillard’s absence was felt as he missed the final 14 games of the regular season where he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game over 58 appearances this season. Post-practice, Rivers captured the sentiment around Lillard’s situation by noting that while a clear return timeline remains elusive, the resolution of Lillard’s DVT should be celebrated as a major milestone. “This could have been career-threatening, or it was, and the fact that there’s a very good chance that he’s gonna play in the playoffs for us, that’s a godsend,” Rivers remarked. “This has come so quickly on us. We’ve gone from thinking it was like 99 percent out to now very positive signs that he’s going to be in at some point.”
The optimism surrounding Lillard’s potential return is shared by both the player and the Bucks organization. Early detection and swift treatment of the blood clot resulted in encouraging signs, giving Lillard and his team hope for a postseason presence. Bucks general manager Jon Horst expressed his excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled for Dame. Our priority has always been Dame’s health. We’re grateful to our medical team for diagnosing and treating his DVT at an early stage, and for the world-renowned hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic.”
As the Bucks gear up for their series against the Pacers, which kicks off on Saturday in Indianapolis, the team is keen to integrate Lillard back into the lineup, knowing his impact could be vital down the stretch. Despite a difficult stretch without their star, Milwaukee managed to finish 10-4 over the last fourteen games of the regular season, even overcoming a four-game losing streak before finding their rhythm with eight straight wins.
Backup point guard Kevin Porter Jr. articulated the hope surrounding Lillard’s recovery: “Just seeing little by little, day by day, gives us hope. That’s what it is right now: just hope. Hope that he can make a full recovery, first and foremost, personally, but then for him to get back (on the floor) whenever he’s ready. Game 1, 2, 3, whatever. He knows how much he means to this team, and we know, so we’ll be happy when we can get him back, for sure.”
With every passing day, the anticipation builds around Lillard’s return, and his presence could prove crucial as the Bucks look to make a deep playoff run.
