After another disheartening playoff loss, the Milwaukee Bucks are fighting for their season against the Indiana Pacers in their first-round series. The Bucks were without Damian Lillard in Game 1 before he made his long-awaited return in Game 2.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, he hasn't made an impact in the series. Worse yet, he may have just potentially suffered a major injury shortly after making his return against the high-octane Pacers.
Sources: The fear is Bucks star Damian Lillard suffered a left Achilles tear. Brutal circumstance after working himself back from a blood clot diagnosis that kept him out over a month. https://t.co/NgQtMpm0yE
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 28, 2025
Lillard knew it immediately. He didn't even try to get up. He's dealt with left Achilles issues before, missing games in last year's series against Indiana. You have to imagine missing all that time with the DVT on the right side meant he wasn't in his usual shape.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) April 28, 2025
Lillard went down with a leg injury in Milwaukee's game three loss to Indiana and had to be helped off the floor. His injury might have been a result of him rushing back to play with him only having a few days of on-court activity prior to returning.
Early indicators suggest that it could be serious and potentially bleed into next season. That would be catastrophic for a Bucks team that already faced a uphill battle to keep star Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
The Bucks already got off to an awful start this season with Lillard, and they could have a rough path without Lillard if he misses extended time.
Losing in the first round for the third time in the last four seasons since winning a championship in 2021 is bad enough. However, potentially being without Lillard until January or February of next season, if he indeed tore his ACL, would be a disaster.
If the Pacers go on to beat the Bucks, then it could force significant changes.
Antetokounmpo could demand another trade this summer, and given that the Bucks haven't had much playoff success since winning a championship four years ago, they may oblige him.
After all, they don't have the means to get significantly better and would probably be worse next season. At least by moving Antetokounmpo, they could command top dollar and get back a major haul for him. Trading a franchise outcome would be a disappointing outcome but probably for the best considering how things have gone.
A first-round exit and Damian Lillard's injury could force Giannis Antetokounmpo to demand a trade.
As far as potential trade partners, the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs could be at the top of the list, with the Oklahoma City Thunder also an option. Each has plenty of assets to potentially trade to the Bucks if they were open to trading him, and each franchise could make a strong pitch to Giannis.
Of course, the Bucks could still battle back to win the series with Giannis leading the charge. Even so, that appears unlikely now that Lillard is probably done for the series.