Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, the team announced Tuesday night. Lillard is currently on blood-thinning medication as part of his treatment.
The Bucks shared this update on the seven-time all-NBA guard but did not provide a timeline for his return. Lillard has missed the last three games and the team is set to wrap up a five-game road trip on Wednesday in Denver.
Deep vein thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst in a statement. “We will support him through the strict process required each week to ensure it’s safe for him to return to play. Doctors have assured us that this is an unlikely situation to happen again. We are grateful that it was identified and treated quickly, which aids in his recovery.”
The Bucks reported that Damian Lillard’s medication has helped stabilize the thrombosis, and he will continue undergoing regular testing.
At 34 years old, Lillard becomes the second high-profile player this season to be sidelined due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder after returning from the All-Star Game last month and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the season. Like Lillard, Wembanyama is on blood-thinning medication, but doctors have assured the Spurs that there are no concerns regarding his long-term health.
This isn’t the first time deep vein thrombosis has affected NBA players. Hall of Famer Chris Bosh’s career was shortened after he was diagnosed with blood clots while playing for the Miami Heat. Brandon Ingram, now with the Toronto Raptors, had his 2018-19 season cut short due to DVT while with the Los Angeles Lakers. Detroit’s Ausar Thompson also dealt with a clot issue that caused him to miss the end of the 2023-24 season.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically forms in the lower leg, so Lillard’s diagnosis in his calf is not unusual.
This injury halts a season in which Lillard earned his ninth All-Star selection. He ranked 10th in the NBA for assists (7.1) and 11th in scoring (24.9).
Lillard’s situation brings up concerns that the Bucks may enter the playoffs without one of their two star players for the second consecutive year. Last season, Milwaukee was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, with a calf injury sidelining two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo during a 4-2 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks (40-31) are currently tied with the Detroit Pistons (41-32) for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, two games behind fourth-place Indiana (42-29). The top four teams in the conference secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.