Kings in playoff picture, but face difficult schedule in NBA restart

Damian Lillard has been medically cleared of his deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is no longer required to take blood-thinning medication, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Despite this positive development, Lillard will not be available for Game 1 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Lillard will now enter a recovery phase that includes resuming contact workouts and gradually ramping up his basketball activities before returning to game action.

Lillard is averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game in his second season with the Bucks. Lillard has been sidelined since March 18th, when the Bucks suffered a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

His absence represents another significant injury setback for Milwaukee, which has struggled to maintain a fully healthy roster during playoff runs since capturing the NBA championship in 2021.

The medical clearance marks an important milestone in Lillard’s recovery process, with his most recent scan showing substantial improvement in his condition.

The Bucks organization has emphasized that they are following strict medical protocols throughout Lillard’s recovery, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate playoff availability.

“Damian’s most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst in a statement this week. “Damian’s health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian’s progress.”