NBA insider casually drops major Damian Lillard update that will excite Bucks fans

Just when it seemed safe to write off the Milwaukee Bucks, they just received big news that could salvage their season. The Bucks lost star Damian Lillard for what was presumed to be the remainder of the regular season and even the playoffs due to a blood clot that developed in his calf.

Generally, it takes months to recover from a blood clot, partly due to having to be put on blood thinners, which limits physical activity. However, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, Lillard could come back much sooner than expected.

Previously, it took Toronto Raptors star Brandon Ingram nine months to recover from a blood clot, and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was already ruled out for the season back in February for the same condition. That makes Lillard's rumored return less than a month later all the more surprising.

When could Damian Lillard make his return for the Milwaukee Bucks?

According to Shams Charania, Lillard could return in the next 7-10 days, which would give him three or four regular season games to try and ramp up for the playoffs. Considering the Bucks are currently projected to face the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, they desperately need Lillard healthy.

That could help them try and knock off one of the best teams in their conference. Doing so would not only improve their chances of making the East Finals but also potentially help them keep superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.

Antetokounmpo has hinted that he could want out of Milwaukee if they can make a deep playoff run, and Lillard's absence would all but ensure postseason failure.

Damian Lillard's potential return gives the Milwaukee Bucks a fighting chance

They would still face an uphill battle but did show improvement prior to Lillard's injury thanks to the additions of Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. If he returns, then Milwaukee could conceivably upset their first-round opponent and push the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics, but they would still likely be the underdogs in that series.

With Lillard potentially coming back much sooner than expected, it would give the Bucks a fighting chance come playoff time. Whether that will make a big enough difference and help them keep Antetokounmpo is still a major question mark going forward, however. Fortunately for the Bucks, they will at least have a much better chance with Lillard than they do without him.