Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard left Recreation 4 of an Japanese Convention first-round playoff sequence with the Indiana Pacers after hurting his decrease left leg within the first quarter. He didn’t return.
Lillard was helped off the ground and into the locker room after struggling the non-contact damage. There’s concern that Lillard suffered a torn Achilles, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
“They’re going to do an [MRI] tomorrow. Clearly, it is decrease leg,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned after the Pacers’ 129-103 win. “Simply being sincere, it’s not very promising.”
The seven-time all-NBA participant was behind the 3-point line when the ball bounced towards him. Lillard used his left hand to tip the ball towards teammate Gary Trent Jr., then went down and grabbed the decrease a part of his left leg, round his ankle. He continued to sit down on the ground as play resumed on the opposite finish of the court docket.
After a foul stopped play, Milwaukee’s Kyle Kuzma helped Lillard up. Lillard then began limping and needed to be helped off the court docket and into the locker room.
Lillard had missed the Bucks’ final 14 regular-season video games and the primary sport of this sequence whereas coping with deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf. Lillard was taken off blood-thinning treatment and cleared to renew full basketball actions on the finish of the common season, and he returned to motion for Recreation 2 of this sequence on Tuesday.
Deep vein thrombosis is an irregular clot inside a vessel the place the congealing of blood blocks the movement by means of on the best way again to the center.
“The man tried to come back again for his crew. I simply really feel unhealthy for him,” Rivers advised reporters Sunday night time. “It is a powerful one, truthfully. Blood clot, adopted by this, it’s simply powerful.
“He’s simply such an excellent freakin’ dude.”
The Pacers led 15-12 when Lillard exited and instantly went on a 10-3 run. The Bucks by no means actually threatened after that as Indiana took a 3-1 sequence lead. Recreation 5 is ready for Tuesday in Indianapolis.
“I’ve seen accidents deflate groups, however tonight, that one damage,” Rivers mentioned.
“My job over the following 40 hours or no matter we’ve got is to get us upright once more, attempt to win one sport in Indiana,” he added. “However my mind proper now could be proper the place the identical place the gamers are, and that is occupied with Dame. That’s simply the human a part of this job.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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