Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf, sidelining him indefinitely. This medical condition, which involves a blood clot, has put his season in jeopardy. Lillard, 34, is currently on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the situation, according to the team.
In recent days, Lillard underwent multiple consultations with specialists, leading to this diagnosis. Bucks General Manager Jon Horst emphasized the team’s commitment to Lillard’s health, stating, "Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority." He assured fans that doctors believe this clot is unlikely to reoccur. The rapid identification and treatment of the issue is a silver lining in a challenging moment.
This isn’t the first time DVT affected an NBA player; San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama faced a similar diagnosis last February when a blood clot was found in his right shoulder.
Lillard initially missed three games due to what was thought to be a calf strain. However, Coach Doc Rivers indicated that Lillard’s condition was not improving, which raised further concerns. He also had a previous 10-day absence due to calf issues earlier in the season.
The timing is tough for the Bucks, who are grappling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. They’ve lost three of their last five games and slipped to fifth in the standings, just half a game ahead of the Detroit Pistons. Interestingly, Milwaukee performs significantly worse when Lillard is off the court, averaging only 108.5 points per game compared to 115.7 when he’s playing.
Lillard’s absence is felt deeply as he was selected for his ninth All-Star Game this season, averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists. He and fellow superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo form the highest-scoring duo in the league, contributing a remarkable 55.1 points per game.
This season marks yet another time the Bucks are facing a major injury as they approach the playoffs. Last year, Giannis missed the opening round of the playoffs due to a calf issue, causing their early exit against the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks now have 11 games left in the regular season and will need to rally to secure their standings headed into the postseason.
For more on the implications of deep vein thrombosis in sports and insights from medical experts, you can explore this Mayo Clinic article on DVT.
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