Bucks' Damian Lillard: Leads offense in return in Game 6
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Lillard tallied 28 points (7-16 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 10-10 FT), four assists and two rebounds over 35 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Lillard returned in Game 6 after missing the previous two games with an Achilles injury, doing all he could to help Milwaukee extend the series by leading all players in Thursday's series-ending contest in scoring and threes made while ending perfect from the free-throw line. Despite dealing with some injury issues during the first-round series against Indiana, Lillard posted 28 or more points in all four of his appearances while adding four or more threes in each of those contests.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Could suit up Thursday
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Lillard (Achilles) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard could return to action Thursday after missing the previous two contests with a right Achilles injury. While Lillard is reportedly more likely to suit up than Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), an official injury update should be released closer to the 6:30 p.m. ET tipoff.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Good to go for Game 6
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Lillard (Achilles) is available for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
Lillard has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing the previous two contests with right Achilles tendinitis. The star guard will likely replace Malik Beasley in the starting lineup. Lillard is averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 40.7 minutes across his previous three appearances in Milwaukee's first-round series against the Pacers.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Upgraded to questionable
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Lillard (Achilles) has been upgraded to questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard was initially deemed doubtful for a third consecutive matchup, but he's trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday's tipoff. If he's able to return to action, it'd provide a significant boost for the Bucks, who are attempting to keep their season alive by forcing a Game 7. If Lillard is unable to suit up, Malik Beasley will probably remain in the starting lineup, while Khris Middleton would likely be a centerpiece for Milwaukee.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Listed as doubtful again
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Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard is listed as doubtful for a third straight matchup after aggravating a right Achilles injury during Game 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, so Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley should remain in the starting lineup. The Bucks had a valiant effort in Game 5 at home to extend the series, led by Portis and Khris Middleton (ankle), but they still need to win back-to-back games to advance to the second round.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Won't play Tuesday
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Lillard (Achilles) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard will miss his second straight contest after being downgraded from doubtful to out with a right Achilles strain. Malik Beasley will likely draw another start in Lillard's absence. If Milwaukee can win Game 5, Lillard's next chance to suit up will come in Game 6 on Thursday.
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Listed as doubtful for Game 5
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Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers.
Lillard aggravated a right Achilles injury during Game 3 and missed Game 4 after being diagnosed with a strained tendon. The Bucks lost both games and now face elimination. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful despite a positive update over the weekend, so Khris Middleton (ankle) and Brook Lopez may have to lead Milwaukee's offense again, while Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis will likely remain in the starting lineup.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Status in doubt for Game 5
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Lillard's (Achilles) status for Game 5 against the Pacers on Tuesday is in doubt, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard has been playing through right Achilles soreness but aggravated the issue during Game 3 and was ruled out for Game 4 after being diagnosed with a strained tendon. Charania also said Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) isn't close to returning, so the Bucks may be without their top two weapons for a second straight game. Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis would likely remain in the starting lineup if Lillard and Antetokounmpo are out again, but Andre Jackson could also be a candidate for more minutes. Lillard's official status for the potential elimination game should be released Monday night.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Ruled out for Game 4
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Lillard (Achilles) has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Pacers.
As expected, Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) have been downgraded from doubtful to out. Khris Middleton (ankle) remains probable. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lillard had been playing through soreness in his Achilles over the last few weeks and aggravated the issue during the Bucks' Game 3 loss on Friday. The Bucks are officially listing Lillard's injury as right Achilles tendinitis. Malik Beasley, Andre Jackson and AJ Green are all candidates to take on increased roles Sunday in Lillard's absence.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Status for Game 4 in doubt
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Lillard suffered a strained Achilles in Friday's 121-118 overtime loss to the Pacers in Game 3, and the Bucks have "serious doubt" about his availability for Game 4 on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was able to return to Game 3 after suffering the injury and finished the contest with 28 points (6-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), eight assists, three steals and one rebound over 45 minutes. Official word on his Lillard's status for Sunday should arrive Saturday, when the Bucks release their next injury report. AJ Green, Andre Jackson and Malik Beasley would all be candidates to see increased minutes alongside Patrick Beverley in the backcourt should Lillard indeed need to sit out.
Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 versus the Pacers.
A report from Shams Charania of The Athletic on Friday hinted at this, and now the Bucks have officially listed Lillard as doubtful on their injury report. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, so the Bucks will need guys like Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez to step up offensively.
Lillard posted 28 points (6-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), eight assists, three steals and one rebound over 45 minutes in Friday's 121-118 overtime loss to Indiana in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite leaving Friday's game briefly with a knee injury, Lillard finished the Game 3 contest and led all Bucks players in assists while ending two points shy of the 30-point mark to provide a boost offensively in a losing effort. Lillard, who was perfect from the free-throw line to go along with a team-high-tying mark from three, has posted at least 28 points in all three games of the first round. It will be worth monitoring Lillard's status ahead of Game 4 given his brief exit Friday.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Returns to Game 3
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Lillard (knee) has returned to Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard went straight to the locker room after suffering an apparent left knee injury with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter, but he was back on the court to start the second period. Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 2, and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, so Lillard's return is a major relief. The All-Star has scored 69 points through the first two games of the series but struggled in the second half on both matchups, which allowed Indiana to even the series with a Game 2 win Tuesday.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Heads to locker room
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Lillard left Friday's Game 3 with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter due to an apparent left knee injury and went to the locker room, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard drove to the basket for a layup and gently collided with Pascal Siakam but landed awkwardly and had to be helped to the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, and Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle injury he suffered early in Game 2, so Lillard's potential absence couldn't come at a worse time. AJ Green subbed in for Lillard, but Pat Connaughton and Malik Beasley are also candidates for increased roles until the All-Star point guard can return.
