The Bucks had another injury scare in Game 3 — this time to star guard Damian Lillard.
Milwaukee is already without superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has missed the first three games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a lingering calf injury. Antetokounmpo is not expected to return until “later in the series” at the earliest, meaning responsibility fell on Lillard’s shoulders to fill the franchise player’s shoes.
Lillard did his part in the first two games, averaging 34.5 points to even the series with the Pacers at 1-1. He didn’t get much of a runway to continue that trend Friday, suffering an Achilles injury in the first quarter.
While Lillard returned before the end of the first half, he appeared hobbled down the stretch as Milwaukee lost Game 3 in overtime at the hands of a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner.
How serious was Lillard’s injury and will it affect his availability moving forward? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
What is Damian Lillard’s injury?
Lillard appeared to tweak his ankle early in Game 3, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers later clarified that Lillard is dealing with an Achilles issue. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday that Lillard sustained a strained Achilles and noted he is in a walking boot.
Lillard drove the lane for a layup and Pacers forward Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot trying to block Lillard’s shot as he landed.
Damian Lillard has limped off the floor.#FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/GAWazT6D2D
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) April 26, 2024
Lillard hobbled to the bench at first, then briefly went to the locker room. Despite returning to the game, it was Khris Middleton who ascended to the role of the Bucks’ go-to scorer down the stretch.
Rivers said after the game that Lillard “was really struggling” with his lower leg, even adding that Lillard told him he wasn’t capable of being anything more than a decoy in overtime. The Bucks would lose despite Middleton’s scoring explosion.
Doc Rivers, on Damian Lillard: “I think it’s his Achilles again, so we’ll see.”
Rivers: “Honestly, Dame was really struggling. In the overtime, he literally said, ‘I’ll be the decoy. I just can’t go as far as explosion.’ So I thought Dame just being out there was huge for us.”
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 27, 2024
Lillard finished the contest, a 121-118 Bucks loss, with 28 points. He played 45 minutes.
How long is Damian Lillard out?
Lillard has been ruled out for Game 4 due to a Grade 1 Achilles strain.
Milwaukee Bucks say Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) are out for tonight’s game at Indiana.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 28, 2024
The Bucks are dealing with a multitude of injuries, as Giannis Antetokoumpo’s return date remains uncertain with a calf injury while Middleton has been playing through an ankle injury. Milwaukee still needs to win three more games to advance.
Bucks vs. Pacers playoff schedule
The Bucks trail the Pacers 2-1 in the series after dropping Game 3.
You can find the rest of the series schedule below.
| Date | Game | Location/Result | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| April 21 | Game 1 | Bucks 109, Pacers 94 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 2 | Pacers 125, Bucks 108 | — | — |
| April 26 | Game 3 | Pacers 121, Bucks 118 | — | — |
| April 28 | Game 4 | at Indiana | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| April 30 | Game 5 | at Milwaukee | TBD | TBD |
| May 2 | Game 6 | at Indiana | TBD | TBD |
| May 4 | Game 7 | at Milwaukee | TBD | TBD |