The Milwaukee Bucks are getting a huge boost for the second game of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
Damian Lillard is set to return for Game 2 of the Bucks-Pacers series on Tuesday night after he has been sidelined for more than a month with a blood-clot issue, according to multiple reports.
Lillard has not played since March 18 after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. The initial belief was that he would miss the remainder of the season due to the serious nature of the condition, but there have been nothing but positive updates about his recovery since.
The 34-year-old Lillard is no longer on blood-thinning medication and was fully cleared for contact last week. Bucks officials have called his recovery “unprecedented,” as athletes typically miss at least several months with similar issues.
Lillard missed Game 1 between the Bucks and Pacers, which Indiana won 117-98. Tempers flared late in the contest and Lillard even got into it with an opposing player despite being on the bench.
The Bucks obviously need Lillard in the lineup if they want to stand a chance of beating the Pacers, so his return could have a significant impact on the series.
Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in his second season with the Bucks. It is unclear if he will be on some sort of minutes restriction, but he should instantly improve Milwaukee’s offense.
