Milwaukee nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, the team announced Tuesday.
According to the Bucks, the 34-year-old Lillard has been placed on a blood-thinning medication that has stabilized the clot.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with the same condition in his shoulder back in February, prompting the team to shut him down for the season.
Lillard was sidelined for 10 days back in December due to an issue with the same calf. He’s missed Milwaukee’s last three games with what was dubbed a calf strain. However, a recent battery of tests and meetings with specialists determined the blood clot diagnosis.
In 58 regular-season games this year, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He’s buried 37.6 percent of his 3-pointers and 92.1 percent of his free throws.
Milwaukee (40-31 straight up, 35-34-2 against the spread) is currently ranked in fifth place in the Eastern Conference going into tonight’s game at Denver. The Bucks, who have 11 regular-season games remaining, trail fourth-place Indiana by two games and lead sixth-place Detroit by one game.
As of early Wednesday morning, most books had the Nuggets installed as 4.5 or five-point home favorites with a total of 225.5. The Bucks were +165 on the money line.
Without Lillard over the last three games, backup point guard Ryan Rollins has seen increased minutes. In 29 minutes of action during a 118-89 win at the L.A. Lakers, he had 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, one blocked shot and four assists compared to only one turnover.
Then in a 114-108 win at Sacramento, Rollins logged 20 minutes of playing time, contributing two rebounds and four assists without a turnover while going scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting from the field. He had eight points, three boards, one steal and three assists without a turnover in Monday’s 108-106 loss at Phoenix.