Milwaukee Bucks All-Star point guard Damian Lillard intends to participate in Game 4 despite injuries to his knee and a re-aggravated Achilles tendon. However, whether his body will cooperate remains the biggest concern as the Bucks aim to avoid falling into a 3-1 deficit.
Lillard addressed reporters after the Bucks’ tough 121-118 overtime loss in Game 3 on April 26, stating, “I think tonight, it was just so fresh, just re-aggravated after having a whole week where you could kind of get it together.” He expressed his desire to be on the court to contribute in any way possible, despite the pain. However, he emphasized the need to address the issue promptly, acknowledging that it’s not something to take lightly.
He described the moment when he injured himself, saying, “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.” Lillard twisted his knee late in the first quarter when Pacers forward Pascal Siakam landed on his ankle, causing him to collapse to the floor in pain and head to the locker room limping.
Damian Lillard has limped off the floor.#FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/GAWazT6D2D
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) April 26, 2024
However, Lillard returned to the game and managed to score 14 points in the following two quarters, despite feeling uncomfortable. He ended the game with 28 points, though he struggled with his shooting, making only 6 of 20 attempts.
“When I went out there, I knew it was gonna be a little uncomfortable but I didn’t feel like I was putting myself in danger,” Lillard said.
Unfortunately, another setback occurred late in the fourth quarter when Lillard tweaked his Achilles tendon.
After the game, Damian Lillard clarified that his Achilles aggravation occurred on this play at the end of regulation and not on the foul by Pascal Siakam in the first quarter.
(You can see Lillard wince as he goes to pick up Patrick Beverley.) pic.twitter.com/M4nnU43Nqa
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 27, 2024
Damian Lillard Stayed as Decoy
After scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, Lillard didn’t attempt a shot in overtime due to limited mobility.
“Honestly, Dame was really struggling,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters afterward. “In the overtime, he literally said, ‘I’ll be the decoy. I just can’t go as far as explosion.’ So I thought Dame just being out there was huge for us.”
The tactic had some success.
With Lillard on the court, Khris Middleton made a remarkable game-tying 3-pointer that forced overtime. And in overtime, Lillard assisted Middleton for another 3-pointer that tied the game for the last time with 8 seconds left.
Pacers’ All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton then responded with a game-winning 3-point play, dealing a double blow to Lillard and the Bucks.
Now, a tough decision looms.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined, will Lillard and the Bucks take the risk of further injury in a crucial Game 4?
Walking Wounded
Middleton was questionable to play in Game 3 after spraining his ankle in Game 2. However, despite the injury, Middleton took the court and delivered, scoring a playoff career-high 42 points in 41 minutes.
With Lillard’s playing status uncertain and Antetokounmpo still sidelined indefinitely with a calf strain, the Bucks may once again heavily rely on Middleton in Game 4.
“We are just taking a lot of hits right now as far as injuries go,” Rivers told reporters.
When asked if the outcome of Game 3 would influence Antetokounmpo’s return to practice, Rivers swiftly dismissed the idea.
“We’re not going to rush anybody back,” Rivers emphasized. “It’s too dangerous to do that.”
