Damian Lillard’s second season with the Milwaukee Bucks is now in limbo.
Lillard is expected to be out indefinitely due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, per NBA senior insider Chris Haynes.
Breaking: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf, league sources tell me.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 26, 2025
It was the same condition that ended Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama’s sophomore season prematurely, after being diagnosed with blood clots forming on his right shoulder.
[ALSO READ: Spurs shut down Victor Wembanyama for rest of season due to right shoulder blood clot]
Haynes also reported that Lillard is undergoing "blood-thinning medication that stabilized the blood clot and will undergo regular testing.”
The nine-time All-Star last suited up in Milwaukee’s 104-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors on March 19 and since then missed the last three Bucks games.
While describing the diagnosis as “unfortunate,” Lillard expressed gratitude to the Bucks organization for a swift response and vowed to “move past” the situation.
“As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family,’ the 13-year veteran told Haynes.
Damian Lillard to me on his diagnosis: “It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up. Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety. As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m…
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 26, 2025
With suspended forward Bobby Portis still serving a 25-game suspension due violating the league’s anti-drug policy, Lillard’s indefinite absence dealt a major blow to a Milwaukee team who are in a dogfight in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
As it stands, the Bucks currently hold the fifth spot in the East with a 40-31 record with 11 games left in their regular season play. They are just ahead of percentage points over the sixth seed Detroit Pistons (41-32) but are just two games behind the no. 4 Indiana Pacers (42-29).
Through 58 games, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds with Milwaukee going 8-5 this season without him.
