Bucks point guard Damian Lillard has been out of the NBA with blood clots since March 19, but there is hope he will return before the end of the postseason.
His injury was initially thought to be a calf strain suffered on or around March 18.
The swelling in Lillard’s calf was unusual enough to warrant further testing and sure enough, the Bucks announced a blood clot was found on March 25.
Lillard immediately began treatment, including the use of blood thinners, and hasn’t traveled with the team since due to his condition.
However, Shams Charania provided some positive news this week, reporting that the team is optimistic he’ll be cleared to return at some point during the playoffs.
Over the last decade, only one NBA player has returned to play in the same season after a blood clot.
Return is usually six to eight months later. Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers was asked on April 5 why he was so optimistic Lillard could return before the end of the postseason.
“(The timeline) definitely has changed, medically,” Rivers said at the time. “Which is good. The location of it is very important as well. And it is, it’s lower. But, it still could be six months. We just don’t know.”
Clots aside, Lillard recently addressed the finite time he has left in the league and isn’t ready to give it all up anytime soon.
“I definitely don’t see myself as somebody that’s just hanging on,” he said on Eye For the Game with Austin Rivers.
“I know that I’ll be able to play till I’m 39, 40. I could play and be a starter until that point, especially with the way the game is. You’re starting to see players playing longer. CP, Brown. You’re starting to see them and they may not be who they were at 26, but they’re still top of the line players.”
He added, “I take care of myself, I don’t live a hard life. I prepare. I know how to get myself ready. Yeah. So I could play, but it’s like I said before, I love my kids. I love my family.”
