Bucks' Damian Lillard Receives Massive Update on Blood Clot Issue

Dec 31, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Bucks superstar guard Damian Lillard is hopeful he will be back on the court soon. 

On an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania provided a massive update on Lillard, saying the 34-year-old is hopeful he can return in a week or so. 

Is Dame coming back to the #Bucks quicker than we think?? 👀

🎙️@ShamsCharania x @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/ObVIi4J57b

— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) April 2, 2025

"He's hopeful to get cleared in the next week or week and a half to go full-go and then resume basketball in games for the Bucks."

Charania added that Lillard's treatment has been encouraging, and they caught the issue on time. 

Lillard is optimistic, but the same cannot be said for Bucks co-owner Wes Edens. In a recent interview with Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Edens said he is unsure how this will all play out.

"Health is everything in the NBA and we’ve been a little bit snakebit around the playoffs the last four years. Dame’s No. 1 objective, our objective for him, is to be healthy as a person. He’s an amazing basketball player, but he’s also an amazing person. We want him healthy. And so I have no idea what that means for him in the short term or long term. And you can only play the game with the people who suit up for it. We’ll get Bobby (Portis) back here in a few days. We’ve got a great team, I think, otherwise," said Edens. 

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Lillard has not played since March 18 against the Golden State Warriors. With only seven games left in the season and two-plus weeks until the playoffs, there is a chance Lillard can get some reps prior to the start of the postseason. 

Lillard has been vital for the Bucks and their offense, although their overall performance has not been up to par. 

Still, his scoring and clutch ability have been maybe for Milwaukee. In the season, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three in 58 games and 36.1 minutes of action. 

Without Lillard in the lineup, the Bucks have recorded a 3-4 record. 

For the rest of the season, the Bucks will only face two teams with records above .500: the Timberwolves and their division rivals, the Detroit Pistons (twice). 

It will be crucial for the Bucks to finish the season strong if they want to climb up the standings. They are currently the sixth seed. 

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