MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is no longer on blood-thinning medication, according to the Bucks. He is now able to resume "full basketball activity."
“We’re thrilled for Dame,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “Our priority has always been Dame’s health. We’re grateful to our medical team for diagnosing and treating his DVT at an early stage, and for the world-renown hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic. Every step of Dame’s recovery has been at the direction of world-class medical professionals and their specific and strict protocols that have allowed for Dame’s safe and healthy return to play.”
ESPN insider, Shams Charania, said on X that doctors told Bucks officials this recovery "has never been seen before," but was able to be treated quickly due to early detection.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Lillard, 34, is the second high-profile player to be sidelined this season because of DVT.
“This could have been career-threatening,” Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “Or it was. The fact there’s a very good chance he's going to play in the playoffs for us, that’s a godsend.”“This could have been career-threatening,” Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “Or it was. The fact there’s a very good chance he's going to play in the playoffs for us, that’s a godsend.”
The injury put Lillard's season on hold at the end March, in which he earned his ninth All-Star Game selection. He was ranked 10th in the NBA in assists (7.1) and 11th in scoring (24.9).
Lillard is out for Game 1 of the NBA playoffs Saturday against the Indiana Pacers but the Bucks said he will "continue to increase his on-court basketball activity in preparation for his return to play."
Lillard's return enabled him to participate in the Bucks' Thursday practice.
“We didn’t go a lot live today, but he was in practice throughout practice today," Rivers said. "Now we’ve just got to see where he’s at physically. It’s going to take a minute.”
Milwaukee went 10-4 without Lillard over its last 14 regular-season games and enters the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak.
But the Bucks still know they're a much better team when Lillard's on the floor.
“We've gone from thinking it was like 99% out to now, very positive signs that he's going to be in at some point,” Rivers said.
Rivers said he's hoping Lillard could return at some point in this series but added: “I just don't know.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
