The Bucks likely received the worst-case update regarding Damian Lillard’s injury.
On Saturday, it was revealed that the star player had injured his Achilles tendon and is currently wearing a walking boot. According to The Athletic.
His availability for Sunday’s Game 4 against the Pacers in Indiana is highly doubtful.
In Game 3 on Friday, the Pacers ultimately won a thrilling 121-118 overtime victory to take a 2-1 series lead.
Lillard left the game with an injury in the first quarter.
He briefly went to the locker room before returning to the game early in the second quarter.
“Honestly, Dame was really struggling,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “In overtime, he literally said, ‘I’m going to be the bait.’ It’s not going to explode.’ So I thought just having Dame there was huge for us.”
The eight-time All-Star scored 28 points in Game 3, but was held back by the Pacers’ defense and was limited to 6-of-20 shooting from the field.
After the loss, Rivers suspected it was Lillard’s Achilles heel, as it was a previous issue in the Bucks’ final regular-season game against the Magic on April 14.
Lillard missed practice leading up to the playoffs, which was a major concern for the team, as there was already major concern about forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is out with a calf strain.
Rivers told reporters that Antetokounmpo is scheduled to practice on Sunday, adding, “We’re going to practice early and hard and then make a decision.”
But he didn’t seem to expect the former MVP to suit up for Game 4.
“I doubt that,” Rivers said. “But let’s take a look.”
Lillard is averaging 24.3 points per game for the Bucks this season, and point guard AJ Green may see a little more playing time in his absence.
Green played in 56 games, averaging 11 minutes and 4.5 points per game.
