The Bucks had another injury scare in Game 3, this time for star guard Damian Lillard.
Milwaukee is already without superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the first three games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a lingering calf injury. Antetokounmpo isn’t expected to return until “later in the series” at the earliest, meaning the onus has fallen on Lillard’s shoulders to fill the franchise player’s shoes.
Lillard did his part in the first two games, averaging 34.5 points to even the series with the Pacers at 1-1. He didn’t have much of a chance to continue that trend Friday, suffering an Achilles injury in the first quarter.
While Lillard returned before the end of the first half, he appeared to limp down the stretch as Milwaukee lost Game 3 in overtime to Tyrese Haliburton, who won the game.
How serious was Lillard’s injury and will it affect his availability going forward? Jugo Mobile has you covered with the latest updates below.
What is Damian Lillard’s injury?
Lillard appeared to sprain his ankle early in Game 3, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers later clarified that Lillard is dealing with an Achilles tendon issue. Athletic’s Shams Charania denounced on Saturday that Lillard suffered a strained Achilles tendon and noted that he wears a walking boot.
Lillard stepped up for a layup and Pacers forward Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot trying to block Lillard’s shot as it landed.
Damian Lillard has limped off the court.#FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/GAWazT6D2D
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) April 26, 2024
Lillard initially limped to the bench and then briefly headed to the locker room. Despite returning to the game, it was Khris Middleton who ascended to the role of the Bucks’ go-to scorer down the stretch.
Rivers said after the game that Lillard “was really struggling” with his lower leg, even adding that Lillard told him he wasn’t capable of being anything more than a decoy in overtime. The Bucks would lose despite Middleton’s scoring explosion.
Doc Rivers on Damian Lillard: “I think it’s his Achilles again, so we’ll see.”
Rivers: “Honestly, Dame was really struggling. In overtime, he literally said, ‘I’ll be the decoy. I just can’t get as far as to explode.’ So I thought just the fact that Dame was out there was huge for we”.
—Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 27, 2024
Lillard finished the contest, defeating the Bucks 121-118, with 28 points. He played 45 minutes.
How long will Damian Lillard be out?
Lillard has been ruled out for Game 4 due to a Grade 1 Achilles strain.
The Milwaukee Bucks say Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) are out for tonight’s game at Indiana.
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 28, 2024
The Bucks are dealing with a multitude of injuries, as Giannis Antetokoumpo’s return date remains uncertain due to a calf injury, while Middleton has been playing with an ankle injury. Milwaukee still needs to win three more games to advance.
Playoff schedule between Bucks and Pacers
The Bucks trail the Pacers, 2-1, in the series after losing Game 3.
You can find the rest of the series schedule below.
| Date | Game | Location/Result | Time (ET) | Television channel |
| April, the 21st | Game 1 | Dollars 109, Pacers 94 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 2 | Pacers 125, Bucks 108 | — | — |
| April 26 | Game 3 | Pacers 121, Bucks 118 | — | — |
| 28th of April | Game 4 | in indiana | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| April 30th | Game 5 | in milwaukee | Determined | Determined |
| May 2 | Game 6 | in indiana | Determined | Determined |
| May 4 | Game 7 | in milwaukee | Determined | Determined |
