The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Damian Lillard on Sept. 27, 2023 through a trade that sent shock waves through the NBA. This was a three-team deal that involved the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks obtained Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers for Jrue Holiday, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and the rights to swap picks in 2028 and 2030.
When this deal went down, many looked at the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard as one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Alongside the powerful duo, it was believed the Bucks turned themselves into heavy favorites for the 2023-24 NBA Larry O’Brien trophy.
Those hopes came to an unceremonious end.
Injury-Plagued Bucks Fall To Pacers In Game 4 After Damian Lillard’s injury
Antetokounmpo missed the entirety of the 2024 playoffs with a strained left calf that he suffered two weeks before the season ended.
This season, Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and the Bucks built some chemistry and developed into one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. But on Mar. 18, Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and was listed as out indefinitely.
Lillard returned to action in the first-round matchup vs. the Pacers in Game 2 and posted 14 points in 37 minutes. Believe it or not, this was Giannis and Dame’s first time playing alongside each other in the playoffs.
In the first quarter of Game 4’s loss to the Pacers, Lillard suffered an injury while helping his team secure an offensive rebound, falling to the court after getting the ball to a teammate. It has since been reported that Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon.
Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season. pic.twitter.com/ysZ0nw8gxW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Antetokounmpo shared what Lillard’s presence has done for him. “I have so much respect for him, I always had the respect for Dame before we became teammates, but now my respect level is much higher.”
Who Steps Up For The Bucks after Lillard’s injury?
Milwaukee needs its ‘Jr.s’ to prove their worth and answer the call offensively.
Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. are all capable of having big nights.
In Game 2, without Lillard, Milwaukee turned to Trent Jr. to provide offensive output. Trent, who was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Taurean Prince, erupted for 37 points and tied Ray Allen’s franchise playoff mark with nine three-pointers.
Antetokounmpo is also putting up superstar numbers, averaging 33.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 5 assists this series. And yet the Bucks are still down 3-1. It’s going to take everyone stepping up their game, including Antetokounmpo if the Bucks want to stretch this series.
