Damian Lillard worked tirelessly to make an extraordinarily rapid return from deep vein thrombosis in his calf and join his Milwaukee Bucks teammates for the playoffs.
In just his third game back, he suffered another potential long-term injury to his other leg.
Lillard was helped off the court and into the locker room after a non-contact injury midway through the first quarter of the Bucks’ 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Sunday night.
The preliminary examination of Lillard indicated a possible Achilles tendon injury, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not immediately reveal those details. The Bucks only described it as a lower left leg injury.
“They’re going to do an image tomorrow,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “Obviously, it’s lower leg. And, just being honest, it’s not very promising.”
Lillard was behind the 3-point line around the top of the key midway through the first quarter when the ball bounced toward him.
Lillard used his left hand to tip the ball toward teammate Gary Trent Jr., then went down and grabbed the lower part of his left leg, around his ankle. The seven-time all-NBA player continued to sit on the floor as play resumed on the other end of the court.
“He’s one of the toughest, mentally toughest guys I’ve ever been around, that’s why he is who he is,” Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “I believe he’s going to overcome every obstacle that’s put in front of him. Everybody’s going to be there for him.”
