Bucks star guard Damian Lillard is feared to have suffered an left Achilles tear, NBA insider Chris Haynes tweets.
Lillard’s injury occurred during Game 4 of his team’s first-round series on Sunday night. He went down on the non-contact play after tapping an offensive rebound from the top of the key to a teammate. He needed to be helped off the floor and couldn’t put weight on his left leg.
It’s a heartbreaking development for the Bucks and the nine-time All-Star. Lillard, 34, returned to action in Game 2 of the series after recovering from a blood clot in his right calf, which sidelined him for more than a month. He was cleared of deep vein thrombosis, which required blood thinning medication, 10 days ago.
Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on .448/.376/.921 shooting in 36.1 minutes per contest during the regular season. He would have been a strong candidate to make an All-NBA team for the eighth time, but did not qualify due to the 65-game rule — he appeared in 58 games this season.
Lillard struggled with his shooting in Games 2 and 3, making just 24 percent of his attempts while averaging 10.5 points in 34.5 minutes.
If Lillard has indeed suffered a tear, it would likely jeopardize his 2025/26 season and put the Bucks in a difficult financial bind. He’s due to make an estimated $54,126,380 next season and holds an option projected at $58,456,490 for the 2026/27 season.
In the short run, the Bucks will have to rely heavily on Kevin Porter Jr. to run their offense for the remainder of the series.
Brutal news. I hope he’s able to come back season after next at full strength!
Bucks are done then.
Without dame, Kuzma has been buns, Lopez is lucky to get 15/20 minutes a night, the SG spot is just a revolving door. Giannis can’t do it all on his own.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see him ask for a trade after getting bounced in the first round
Wow…just wow
…what
Should’ve stuck with Holiday
You do know Holiday and Lillard have played the exact same number of games this postseason?
You do know that one gets paid far less than the other…?
Yeah, I think this might signal the end of the Giannis era in Milwaukee.
Terrible news, might end Dame’s career, he will be out til he’s 36.
Giannis to the Warriors becomes more feasible by the day…
Safe to say that everyone wishes you a complete and speedy recovery Damian!
“feared to have suffered an left Achilles tear…”
Please fix that. It hurts almost as bad as the injury.