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.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Damian Lillard is doubtful for Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round series against the Indiana Pacers after straining his Achilles. Lillard is in a walking boot and is unlikely 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 that Lillard's Achilles issue has bothered him 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 head 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. Considering the severity of the issue, Lillard’s status beyond that game may also be in question.
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