Bucks get bad Damian Lillard injury news before Game 4

Oct 20, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks will be playing to avoid a 3-1 series deficit on Sunday, and it appears they will have to do so without both of their star players.

Guard Damian Lillard is considered doubtful for Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round series against the Indiana Pacers after straining his Achilles, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Lillard is in a walking boot, and is unlikely to be able to suit up on Sunday.

Lillard has played through significant soreness in his Achilles tendon in recent weeks, and reaggravated the injury late in fourth quarter of Game 3 loss Friday night. Bucks now facing likelihood of playing without Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. https://t.co/kbwJjlXz84

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2024

Charania notes the Achilles issue has bothered Lillard for weeks, but he reaggravated it during the fourth quarter of Friday’s Game 3. Lillard was able to return to the court to finish the game, but coach Doc Rivers admitted after the 121-118 overtime loss that his explosiveness was gone and he was largely deployed as a decoy.

Lillard averaged 32.3 points per game in the first three games of the series and had picked up much of the slack with Giannis Antetokounmpo also sidelined. Now it appears the Bucks will be without both of them as they try to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole in the series on Sunday. Lillard’s status beyond that game may be in question as well considering the severity of the issue.