Milwaukee Bucks: Is Damian Lillard Playing in Game 4?
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard’s status for Game 4 of their NBA Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers is now a major concern following his injury in Game 3.
Apr 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Lillard appeared to have suffered not one but two injuries during the duration of Friday’s contest, sparking fears about him possibly sitting out.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard Speaks Out on Injury Status
During the first quarter of Game 3, Lillard had to briefly exit the floor after Pacal Siakam accidentally stepped on his left ankle and caused him to be in severe pain.
Dame Time was able to return even after that injury scare. However, with less than 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, he was seen grimacing in pain and limping for a little bit as he tried to help Patrick Beverley get up.
The game pushing to overtime certainly didn’t help, as Lillard opted to play in a bid to help his teammates. Nonetheless, he was ineffective in OT, failing to even score a point. Dame didn’t even take a shot in the extra period, which speaks volumes of how much he was struggling with his ailment.
The Bucks ended up losing 121-119, with Lillard playing 45 minutes and finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Apr 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles the ball during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsAfter the game, head coach Doc Rivers admitted that Lillard reaggravated his Achilles injury. He didn’t disclose Lillard’s status for Game 4, but the Bucks tactician shared that the issue affected the veteran guard’s movement and explosiveness.
Damian Lillard Speaks Out on Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Game 4 Status
Despite the concerns about his injury status, though, Damian Lillard emphasized that he plans to play when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 on Sunday.
When asked by reporters if he has enough time to get himself right and play considering just the one-day rest he’ll get, Lillard is not losing confidence that he’ll be able to suit up.
After all, he himself knows that sitting out is not much of an option with Giannis Antetokounmpo still nursing his calf issue and uncertain to return.
“I mean, that’s the plan. I think, tonight, it was just so fresh, just re- aggravated after having a whole week where you could kind of get it together, but I just wanted to be on the floor, in case some opportunity came up or however I could help,” Lillard said of his injury, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“But obviously tonight, we’re gonna get back and just have to get ahead of it because that’s not something you want to play with. It’s one of those spots on your body where you literally can’t do nothing about it. If you can’t move, you can’t move. So we got a couple days, tonight, to start to try to get ahead of it and just get it feeling better, try to get ready for Sunday.”
Hopefully, Lillard will really be able to play in Game 4, After the Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the series, Milwaukee can’t afford to give up the match-up since it will put them at a dangerous 3-1 hole.
For now, however, Milwaukee fans can only pray and hope for the best for his injury.
Apr 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the first half during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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