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Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard has received medical clearance regarding the deep vein thrombosis affecting his right calf, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Although Lillard will sit out Game 1 against the Pacers, he has a window to return to contact practices and prepare for a comeback, Charania reveals.
As reported by ESPN, Lillard has discontinued his use of blood-thinning medication.
This swift recovery from the blood clot in a little over three weeks is both remarkable and unprecedented. Medical professionals have informed Bucks’ personnel that such a recovery is extraordinary, achieved through prompt treatment, early detection, and the assistance of specialists even prior to an official diagnosis. [Source](https://t.co/1AOqon1Ahm)
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 17, 2025
Earlier this week, the Bucks shared that Lillard’s condition was improving and that his deep vein thrombosis was showing signs of significant recovery. At that time, the team indicated he would gradually ramp up his basketball activities on the court.
“Damian’s latest weekly scan indicates notable improvement in his injury, allowing him to safely proceed with increased basketball activities,” stated Bucks general manager Jon Horst. “Damian’s health is our top priority. We have adhered to rigorous protocols and will continue to do so. We are encouraged by the favorable updates concerning Damian’s recovery.”
UPDATE: Damian Lillard has shown substantial improvement concerning the deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. He will continue to enhance his basketball activities on the court.
“Damian’s latest weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved which will allow him to progress…”
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 15, 2025
The Bucks will kick off their first-round playoff series against Indiana on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Thrombosis is characterized by the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Lillard, who is 34 years old, is the second prominent player this season to be out due to DVT, following San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with it in his shoulder upon returning from the All-Star Game.
DVT often occurs in the lower limbs, so Lillard’s diagnosis in his calf is not unusual. He concluded the regular season as the 10th leading scorer (24.9 points) and 10th in assists (7.1). This year, he earned his ninth selection for the All-Star Game.
The Bucks managed to achieve a 10-4 record without Lillard in their final 14 regular-season games and enter the playoffs riding an eight-game winning streak.
Injury issues among key players have plagued the Bucks in every postseason since their NBA championship victory in 2021.
Khris Middleton missed the entirety of a seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston in 2022 due to a sprained medial collateral ligament. Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back bruise in Milwaukee’s initial playoff game in 2023 and didn’t return until Game 4 of a first-round series that ended in a 4-1 defeat to the Miami Heat. In last year’s 4-2 first-round loss to Indiana, Antetokounmpo was sidelined completely due to a calf strain, while Lillard missed two games because of an Achilles injury.
This report incorporates information from The Associated Press.
