For the second year in a row, the Milwaukee Bucks are stepping into the playoffs without one of their key players: Damian Lillard, their highly-rated point guard. Lillard continues to be side-lined due to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, an unsettling condition which initially resembled an ordinary calf strain around the middle of March.
The swelling in Lillard’s calf perturbed the medical team enough for them to conduct further investigations. On March 25, they announced the unsettling discovery of a blood clot. Lillard began his treatment immediately, involving the administration of blood thinners, spotlighting the severity of his condition.
By April 15, the Bucks shared a follow-up update, indicating that Lillard has shown ‘substantial progress on his deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.’ The enforced treatment plan includes gradually increasing the player’s on-court basketball activities, maintaining the utmost caution given his condition.
The team stressed that the number one priority will continue to be Lillard’s health, upholding stringent protocols whilst being content over the optimistic update on his condition. His recent scan showed substantial improvement, allowing him the green light for greater basketball activity, albeit still under strict restrictions.
The upgrade in his basketball activities implies that Lillard is now permitted to participate in structure drills, engage in more shooting, and physical exertion. However, he remains barred from indulging in any sporting activity involving direct contact.
Lillard, till this point, had been engaged in light running and shooting. His transition to more strenuous activities signals a promising trend, yet his complete recovery continues to remain uncertain. Turning 35 in mid-July, Lillard is expected to fully recover and retake his place on the basketball court, but the exact timelines are still fuzzy given the complexity of the condition.
Since his diagnosis, Lillard’s travels with the team have come to a halt as being sedentary for extended periods of time is not conducive to his recovery. ‘The team is hopeful yet cautious, balancing the urgency of his return with the strict protocols for his recovery,’ said a Bucks spokesperson in a recent statement.
Drawing from NBA history, Mirza Teletovi? stands out as the sole player who managed to return to play in the same season after the detection of a blood clot. Diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in 2015, Teletovi?, despite playing only for 16 minutes across three playoff games, defied the odds.
However, in 2017, as part of the Bucks, Teletovi? suffered another bout of blood clots in his lungs, leading to the abrupt termination of his career. Likewise, Chris Bosh experienced a similar fate. After bouncing back from a pulmonary embolism in 2015, he was diagnosed with DVT in his leg, which eventually ended his career.
More recent examples include NBA players like Brandon Ingram and Ausar Thompson who managed to return to the court in the next season after their diagnosis. The same optimism surrounds Victor Wembanyama, who, after being diagnosed with DVT in his right shoulder, is expected to come back next season.
Medically speaking, the recovery timeline for a DVT patient typically ranges between six to eight months. However, these timelines can vary widely based on the individual and the specific nature of the condition. In Lillard’s case, the precise timeframe for his return remains uncertain.
The uncertainty surrounding his health may potentially lead to Lillard missing out on postseason games for the second time in a row. During the four games he managed to play last season, he posted an impressive average of 31.3 points, reflecting his vital importance in the Bucks lineup.
This year’s stats for Damian Lillard show him at the top of his game before his diagnosis. Notwithstanding the need to miss multiple games due to his health, Lillard’s impressive 24.9 points per game remained among the top 10 NBA scores, and his 92.1% free-throw shooting percentage ranked second-best in the league.
Active for a total of 58 games, Lillard was on the court for 36.1 minutes on average per game. He achieved 24.9 points, with an impressive overall field goal percentage of 44.8%, and an even more remarkable three-point scoring percentage of 37.6%. Moreover, his free-throw scoring was almost faultless at 92.1%.
In addition, his overall performance demonstrated his all-around abilities, pulling down an average of 4.7 rebounds and delivering 7.1 assists a game. At the defense front, his performance showcased his resilience and smartness, averaging 1.2 steals per game. Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances, Damian Lillard’s impact on the court remains uncontestable, even as he works his way back to health.
The post Milwaukee Bucks Face Playoffs Without Point Guard Damian Lillard for Second Year appeared first on Real News Now.
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