Bucks point guard Damian Lillard has been out of the blood clot since March 19, but hopefully he will return before the end of the playoffs.
Initially, his injury was a calf strain that suffered around March 18.
Lillard's swelling was very unusual and further testing could be done, and surely the Bucks found a blood clot on March 25.
Lillard started treatment immediately, including the use of a blood thinner and had not traveled with the team since his condition.
However, Shams Charania has provided some positive news this week, reporting that the team is optimistic and he will return sometime during the playoffs.
In the past decade, only one NBA player has returned to the game the same season after a blood clot.
The return is usually six to eight months later. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers was asked on April 5 why Lillard, who is so optimistic, can return before the end of the playoffs.
“(The schedule) has certainly changed medically,” Rivers said at the time. “It's good. It's location is also very important. It's location is also very low. However, it's still probably six months. We just don't know.”
Aside from the clots, Lillard recently talked about the limited time he left in the league and wasn't ready to give up all of it soon.
He said, “͏ I will never regard myself as the one I just hung up.” Focus on the Austin River game.
“I know I can play until 39, 40. I can play and be a starter until then, especially the way the game is.
He added: “I take care of myself, I just have to have a hard life. I'm ready. I know how to prepare. Yes. I can play, but like I said before, I love my kids. I love my family.”
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