Damian Lillard Injury Status For Lakers vs Bucks

Will the nine-time All-Star point guard suit up against Los Angeles?

Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Will nine-time All-Star Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard suit up against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night?

That's one of the major questions haunting the 38-30 Bucks, who are jockeying for homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference.

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The game has major implications for the Western Conference playoffs, too, as a Lakers loss would clinch the No. 1 seed for the 57-12 Oklahoma City Thunder. Then again, the Thunder are so far ahead of the 45-25 Houston Rockets and 43-25 Lakers that it seems likely they'll become the top seed in the postseason eventually.

The @okcthunder can clinch the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference tonight. pic.twitter.com/Lg6oeZtTys

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 20, 2025

Per the league's latest injury report, Lillard is considered probable to suit up against the Lakers as he grapples with a sore right groin. Lillard's fellow nine-time Bucks All-Star, power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, is also considered probable as he deals with a right patella tendinopathy.

Sixth man power forward/center Bobby Portis continues to serve a 25-game suspension after violating the league's drug policy. Reserve center Jericho Sims, who had taken the lion's share of Portis' minutes, is on the shelf for the next four weeks or so with a right thumb UCL sprain.

Backup shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. is considered probable to play through a left patella tendinopathy of his own. Two-way players Jamaree Bouyea and Stanley Umude are both with the Bucks' G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

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Lillard's absence would prove costly for the Bucks, who otherwise should have a good shot at besting a Lakers squad still missing 21-time All-Star power forward LeBron James, five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic, and starting small forward Rui Hachimura.

Doncic's absence is the surprise among those three starters. Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the 6-foot-6 pro is dealing with a right ankle sprain.

Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks as he continues to manage a sprained right ankle, sources told ESPN. Thursday marks the final game in L.A.'s brutal six games in eight days stretch of the schedule. LAL has gone 3-2 so far.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 20, 2025

Lillard, 34, is a major scoring superstar. Through 58 games this season, the 6-foot-2 Weber State product is averaging 24.9 points while slashing .448/.376/.921 shooting splits, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds a night.

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