Bucks' Doc Rivers Gives Concerning Damian Lillard Injury Update

Milwaukee's star guard appeared to sustain a leg injury in Game 4 against the Pacers.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard was favoring his left leg when he limped to the bench in the first quarter of Game 3 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

He returned to the floor just over one minute of game time later, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers appeared to be concerned about the star guard following Milwaukee's 121–118 overtime loss.

"I think it's his Achilles again, so we'll see," Rivers said to reporters after the game [via The Athletic's Eric Nehm].

Lillard finished the game with 28 points on 6-of-20 shooting to go along with eight assists and three steals in 45 minutes. But he didn't score in overtime, and the Pacers edged the Bucks 10–7 in the extra period to claim a 2–1 series lead.

"Honestly, Dame was really struggling," Rivers said. "In the overtime, he literally said, 'I'll be the decoy. I just can't go as far as explosion.' So, I thought Dame just being out there was huge for us."

The Bucks already are operating without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hasn't played since sustaining a strained left calf on April 9.

Milwaukee will try to even the playoff series Sunday in Game 4. Based on his coach's comments after Friday's loss, Lillard's status for Sunday appears up in the air.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.