Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is ready to go, injury or not. Although Lillard has been bothered by blood clots for several weeks, the veteran guard says he’s suiting up for the Bucks’ crucial Game 2 playoff matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. “I’m playing… I’m going to give it everything I got… You gotta go out there and do what you’ve gotta do,” Lillard told reporters ahead of the game, making it clear that no physical setback would keep him off the floor.
Lillard has been sidelined for over a month, and Milwaukee has clearly missed his presence, especially after an ugly performance in Game 1. The Pacers dominated the Bucks 117-98, racing out to an early lead and never looking back. With Indiana holding a 1-0 series lead, the pressure is now squarely on Milwaukee to respond — and Lillard’s return couldn’t come at a more critical time.
This season, Lillard has averaged 24.4 points per game and 7.1 assists, providing Milwaukee not only with a scoring punch but also the steady playmaking that their offense desperately needs. Without him, the Bucks looked disjointed, struggling to create quality shots and falling behind early. Lillard’s ability to push the pace, attack the rim, and open up opportunities for teammates could be the spark the team needs to get back into the series.
It’s been a frustrating year for Lillard, who last played for the Bucks on March 18 against the Golden State Warriors, logging 38 minutes but only scoring 16 points in a loss. Since then, Milwaukee has been in survival mode without their floor general. Watching Game 1 from the sidelines had to be tough for the proud veteran, who has built his career on battling through adversity and delivering when it matters most.
Now, with the Bucks facing a pivotal moment, Lillard emphasized that it’s about pride and heart more than anything else. “Pride and heart and care, you gotta go out there and just do what you gotta do,” Lillard said. “You gotta deal with the results.” For a player who has built his entire reputation on loyalty, resilience, and competitiveness, it’s no surprise that he’s willing to risk it all to try to swing the momentum back in Milwaukee’s favor.
The Bucks have made the playoffs consistently in recent years but haven’t looked like true contenders at times, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. Lillard’s arrival from Portland was supposed to be the move that put Milwaukee over the top again, giving Giannis the co-star he needed to win another championship. However, injuries and inconsistent play have kept the Bucks from hitting their full stride.
At 34 years old, Lillard is chasing the one thing missing from his résumé: an NBA championship. He’s made it clear he has no intention of slowing down or retiring any time soon. With his return tonight, the Bucks are hoping his leadership, toughness, and shot-making will ignite a much-needed turnaround against a confident Pacers team.
Tip-off for Game 2 between the Bucks and Pacers is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, with Milwaukee aiming to even the series and keep their playoff hopes alive — and Damian Lillard ready to give everything he has to make sure of it.
