Milwaukee Bucks star point guard Damian Lillard exited Sunday’s Game 4 first-round playoff home clash against the Indiana Pacers early with an apparent left leg injury. Initial reports suggest the nine-time All-Star may have suffered a career-altering setback.
Lillard’s non-contact injury occurred when Milwaukee was trailing 15-12 midway through the first quarter. After tipping a loose ball at the top of the arc to teammate Gary Trent Jr., he collapsed to the floor in apparent pain, clutching his lower left leg.
The 13-year veteran remained seated on the floor as play continued on the other end, needing to be helped to the locker room after the next whistle. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest, finishing with zero points, two rebounds, and two assists on 0-for-2 shooting across six minutes.
Damian Lillard Feared To Have Sustained Achilles Tear in Game 4
Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Milwaukee fears Lillard has suffered a torn left Achilles. Such a scenario would not only cut his 2025 playoff run short but also jeopardize his availability for the 2025-26 season.
Lillard’s misfortune comes after he missed the final 14 games of this year’s regular season and Game 1 against Indiana due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. Lillard was taken off blood-thinning medication and cleared to take part in full basketball activities at the end of the regular season, and he returned for Game 2 of this series on Tuesday.
The sharpshooter got off to a slow start upon his return. Over his first two playoff outings, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.5 3-pointers per game, shooting just 24.0%.
Bucks’ Future Uncertain Amid Damian Lillard’s Potential Achilles Tear
Milwaukee secured a 117-101 Game 3 home victory despite Lillard managing only seven points, with Trent and superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo combining for 74 points.
However, the Bucks struggled in Lillard’s absence in Game 4, stumbling to a 129-103 blowout defeat at Fiserv Forum. They trailed wire to wire as eight Pacers tallied 12-plus points, led by center Myles Turner’s 23-point showing. Conversely, Antetokounmpo (28 points) was his team’s only starter to score in double figures.
Milwaukee trails Indiana 3-1, with their best-of-seven series shifting back to Indianapolis for Tuesday’s Game 5 showdown. A five-game Round 1 exit could trigger significant changes in Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo trade rumors already escalating.
A serious injury to Lillard may increase the franchise’s chances of blowing up its aging core and kickstarting a rebuild this summer.
The Pacers can eliminate Milwaukee in Round 1 for a second straight year by winning Game 5 on Tuesday in Indianapolis. The Bucks have lost eight straight road playoff games, and the last five of those defeats are at Indiana.