Damian Lillard's Status For Bulls-Bucks Game

Damian Lillard has been ruled out for Sunday's game between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

On Sunday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks are hosting the Chicago Bulls in Wisconsin for their first preseason game of the year.  

For the game, they will be without their three best players, as Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been ruled out. 

Via Eric Nehm of The Athletic: "Bucks coach Adrian Griffin says Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard and Cam Payne will not be active for today's preseason opener against the Bulls."

Bucks coach Adrian Griffin says Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard and Cam Payne will not be active for today's preseason opener against the Bulls.

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 8, 2023

During the preseason, stars typically play limited minutes, but fans will be anticipating the first time they can see Lillard in his new uniform. 

The seven-time NBA All-Star had spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers before getting traded over the offseason. 

This past year, Lillard averaged a sensational 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.1% from the three-point range in 58 games.  

“I knew it was a possibility. I just didn’t think it was actually going to happen”

Damian Lillard tells @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine how the trade went down on his end

Hear our Season Preview shows: https://t.co/IHMBxr3V1a@Bucks | @Dame_Lillard | @SiriusXMSports pic.twitter.com/9t5I9gE5Xc

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 7, 2023

As for the Bucks, they are coming off a year where they were the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a 58-24 record. 

However, they lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Miami Heat (in five games). 

"We're gonna let Dame be Dame." 🦌⌚️#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/eSeBGqmj18

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 7, 2023

Following the Bulls, the Bucks will play their next preseason game on October 10 when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies in Tennessee. 

They will play their first regular season game of the year at home against the Philadelphia 76ers in Wisconsin. 

Preseason hoops are here!@Bucks x Bulls
Today 12pm

presented by @Gruber_Law pic.twitter.com/z0q5AZxby9

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) October 8, 2023

The Bucks have made the NBA playoffs for seven straight seasons and won the 2021 NBA Championship over the Phoenix Suns.