Milwaukee Bucks' star guard Damian Lillard will unfortunately miss the start of the NBA playoffs due to a blood clot in his right calf. Despite being sidelined since March, Lillard has shown promising progress with the clot shrinking, though he has not yet been cleared for full basketball activities. The team remains focused on prioritizing Lillard's health, with General Manager Jon Horst expressing positivity about the veteran's recovery.
Coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism about Lillard's potential return, but also acknowledged the possibility of him sitting out for the remainder of the season. Lillard's absence has been felt on the court, with the Bucks going 10-4 in their final 14 regular-season games without him. As they gear up for the playoffs, the team is hopeful that reserve center Jericho Sims will be available after recovering from a thumb injury that has kept him out for the past month. Despite the challenges, the Bucks are determined to navigate through the postseason and aim for success even in Lillard's absence.