Milwaukee Bucks star guard Damian Lillard is officially back and cleared to play in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. This marks a significant boost for Milwaukee, which had been without its All-Star floor general for an extended stretch as he recovered from a serious medical condition.
Lillard missed 12 consecutive games after the Bucks announced he was dealing with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—a condition that can cause blood clots and is often treated with blood thinners, making it impossible to engage in contact sports. With his return now confirmed, the timing couldn’t be better for a Milwaukee squad heading into a tough postseason matchup.
Prior to the official announcement, head coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism about Lillard’s status, hinting that a return was on the horizon. That optimism became reality when ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news Thursday morning, reporting that Lillard had been fully cleared of DVT and was no longer on any blood-thinning medication.
“Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication,” Charania posted via X (formerly Twitter). “Lillard is out for Game 1 Saturday against Indiana and will have a period of time to resume contact workouts and ramp up for return.”
Though Lillard was held out of Game 1 as a precaution, his return to basketball activities is now in full swing, and he is expected to begin ramping up through practice sessions and contact drills with an eye on rejoining the lineup shortly after the series begins.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Lillard hinted that his return was entirely dependent on how his body felt—once he was ready, he wouldn’t delay.
“The moment that I feel good about it, I’m not going to be all waiting, and all of that,” Lillard said. “The moment I feel I can go, I’m a go. That’s what I can tell you.”
Lillard, known for his clutch shooting and playoff heroics, averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds during the regular season. His return adds not only veteran leadership but also much-needed offensive firepower alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks aim to make a deep postseason run.
While Game 1 will proceed without him, Milwaukee’s long-term playoff hopes are certainly brighter with Lillard’s comeback officially underway. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he ramps up and prepares to rejoin the squad—possibly as soon as Game 2 or 3.
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