3 hours ago
1
Damian Lillard’s postseason is over.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ injury fears were realized Monday when ESPN confirmed Lillard suffered a left torn Achilles tendon during Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Lillard went down with a frightening non-contact injury in the 129-103 defeat while tracking down a long rebound. Lillard sustained the injury halfway through the opening quarter and did not return to the game.
The Bucks now trail the Pacers in the series, 3-1.
The injury is a particularly tough blow to the 34-year-old superstar, who had just returned from a blood clot in his right calf that kept him sidelined to close out Milwaukee’s regular season. He also missed Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series versus Indiana.
“This is a tough one, honestly. Blood clot, followed by this. It’s just tough,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said after Sunday’s loss. “He’s just such a great freakin’ dude, on a basketball level but more important, as a teammate and a father … no one deserves it.”
Lillard, who has two years remaining on his contract that pays him more than $50 million annually, is now looking at an extensive recovery.
He averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists across 58 games this season.
Game 5 between the Pacers and Bucks tips off Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Indiana.
English (US)