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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard, the guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, is uncertain about when he will return to the court, but he is thankful that it will happen sooner than anyone anticipated.
This week, Lillard received clearance for full basketball activities and was taken off blood-thinning medication after spending the past month sidelined due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. This development comes just in time for the Bucks as they prepare to kick off the playoffs on Saturday against Indiana (Game 1, Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vessel, hindering the proper return of blood to the heart.
“I’m aware there are people out there facing far more serious issues than what I’ve experienced, so I don’t want to make it seem dramatic,” Lillard remarked on Friday. “However, you can never predict when something unexpected could arise and alter your life. I’ve seen players like Chris Bosh deal with similar situations, and it has had major implications, potentially even career-ending, so it’s vital to appreciate every day and opportunity.”
During his time on blood thinners, Lillard was limited to shooting free throws; however, he mentioned that specialists allowed him to resume certain exercises, such as weight training, which could help speed up his recovery now that he’s been cleared.
The Bucks have confirmed that Lillard will not participate in Saturday’s game.
“I knew that if there was any chance of returning, I didn’t want to just sit around doing nothing,” Lillard stated, sharing that he practiced without limitations on Thursday.
When he received his diagnosis, Lillard’s primary concern wasn’t about getting back on the court but rather the potential personal implications of the situation.
He reflected on a cousin who suffered from an undetected blood clot during the pandemic, which ultimately led to a fatal pulmonary embolism. “That was the first thing that crossed my mind,” Lillard explained.
Last month, while out dining, Lillard noticed his leg was swollen and felt tighter than usual, leading him to suspect something more serious than a regular calf strain. After being diagnosed with DVT, he became preoccupied with various alarming possibilities.
“My mind was racing with thoughts like, ‘What if this? What if that?’ I was panicking. I even felt random pains in my back and chest and wondered, ‘Is this related?’” Lillard shared.
Initially, he refrained from inquiring about a timeline for his return, instead focusing on how long it would take for the clot to dissolve and no longer pose a risk.
“The doctors emphasized that I’m not a typical 65-year-old patient with a blood clot,” Lillard remarked. “They reassured me that I’m a healthy 34-year-old athlete in good condition.”
He noted that his situation was unique in that he was able to visit the doctor weekly for monitoring, which is not often the case for most patients on blood-thinning medications. “I was in each week, tracking progress, just to ensure everything was going as hoped,” he added.
Lillard’s swift potential recovery is noteworthy. Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs was diagnosed with DVT in his shoulder, leading to a premature season-ending decision. Meanwhile, Bosh’s career was adversely affected after his own blood clot diagnosis while with Miami.
Lillard indicated that his medical team found his case to be atypical. “They said, ‘We don’t usually see this,’” he recounted, explaining that his condition appeared stable for some time before unexpectedly showing improvement.
Now, he stands on the brink of returning to play. Bucks coach Doc Rivers suggested that Lillard’s positive mindset may have contributed to his rapid recovery. “He continuously stated, ‘I’m going to overcome this.’ The power of positive thinking seems to have played a role here, and I can genuinely attest to that,” Rivers remarked.
While the exact timing of Lillard’s return remains uncertain, he prefers not to set a firm date, acknowledging that he hasn’t engaged in any real basketball activity for a month, since his last game on March 18. “As soon as I feel ready, I’ll be back out there,” Lillard indicated.
