Milwaukee, WI — April 18, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been medically cleared following a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis and is no longer taking blood-thinning medication, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Lillard’s Recovery Timeline
Although Lillard will miss Game 1 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, he is expected to ramp up activities through a series of contact workouts before rejoining the lineup.
Doctors credited the quick recovery to early detection, immediate treatment, and proactive specialist care even before a formal diagnosis was confirmed.
Earlier this week, the Bucks announced that Lillard was making “significant improvement” in his recovery and had been cleared to escalate his on-court activities. However, the team has not released an official timetable for his return to game action.
“We’re taking it day-by-day, but the signs are all positive,” a team source said.
Lillard’s Impact This Season
Before being sidelined, the 34-year-old Lillard averaged:
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24.9 points per game
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7.1 assists per game
The Bucks managed a strong 10-4 record during his absence and closed the regular season with an eight-game winning streak under head coach Doc Rivers.
Coach Rivers had previously expressed cautious optimism regarding Lillard’s potential return but stressed that the team was prepared for either outcome.
“It’s great to see him progressing,” Rivers said. “But we won’t rush it.”
Bucks’ Playoff Outlook Without Lillard
The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and a balanced supporting cast, will open their playoff series against the Pacers at home. Lillard’s eventual return could be a major boost as Milwaukee aims for a deep postseason run.
Lillard’s situation will be monitored closely over the coming days, with further updates expected early next week.
