All eyes are on the Milwaukee Bucks, who arguably have the most pressure on them entering the playoffs. They will enter the postseason shorthanded with star Damian Lillard out with a blood clot in his calf.
He was initially expected to potentially miss the playoffs, but according to ESPN insider Shams Charania, he could soon make his return.
Lillard has, however, made significant progress with the blood clot and there remains optimism for his clearance at some point in the playoffs, sources said. He is continuing to increase basketball activity this week. https://t.co/NqriR7quSL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2025
That may depend on how long the Bucks' playoff run lasts. First, they will get a chance to avenge last year's playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers when they face off against them in the first round.
That would give them a decent chance of making the second round, but without star Damian Lillard, it may be a closer series than expected. Lillard could return this postseason, but it would depend on how long they can stay alive.
The Bucks already faced a difficult path back to the NBA Finals. Even if they were to beat the team that beat them last season in the playoffs, they would likely have to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and the New York Knicks or Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Even with a healthy Lillard, they would still have to run the gauntlet.
The Milwaukee Bucks have a lot riding on a potential Damian Lillard return.
The Bucks have a lot riding on this playoff run, with Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially demanding a trade if they can't win another championship. That is a high bar to clear for a Milwaukee team that got off to a slow start to the season before rallying to win the in-season tournament.
Nevertheless, they are clearly at least the fourth-best team in the Eastern Conference, and a lot would have to go right for them to even make the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone return to the NBA Finals.
There's also the fact that Lillard has never won a championship, and if he can't return soon enough to impact the Bucks in the playoffs, then he may never have another opportunity to do so. He is already 34 years old, and if Giannis asks out of Milwaukee, then he could either be shipped to another team or left to ride out a potential rebuild.
Ultimately, the Bucks are awaiting the return of Lillard. He appears increasingly likely to return at some point during the playoffs after initially appearing as though he may miss the rest of the season.
Milwaukee faces an uphill battle to make the NBA Finals. But having him back would be a huge boost and give them a shot at making a deep playoff run and potentially keeping Giannis happy.