In case you missed it, Damian Lillard was not able to finish Milwaukee Bucks’ first round series with the Indiana Pacers after missing the first game after rupturing his Achilles in Game 4.
Milwaukee Bucks, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, NBA Playoffs
Dec 13, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
What’s more unfortunate about Dame’s injury was that he had to recover first from a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis and sat out more than one month to be able to play again. The Bucks went on to lose the series and exit the first round for a third straight time, second in the Lillard era.
This angle of a lonely Damian Lillard personally having a moment, mentally digesting his suspected Achilles tear, is devastating 💔
Lillard just returned from a blood clot injury.
Get well soon, Dame! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/fXkfQZdrsd
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) April 28, 2025
That was then followed by the same injury to Boston Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum against the New York Knicks in the second round.
Things went smooth from there but on the very last game of the season, the Game 7 between Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, the former’s star Tyrese Haliburton suffered the same fate as Lillard and Tatum.
He has to exit the game in the first quarter due to an Achilles injury. His team went on to lose. OKC won their first ever NBA championship.
Tyrese Haliburton
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
We love you, Tyrese! ❤️🏀 Fans are still up welcoming back the Pacers at the airport after their hard fought Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
Read the game recap here: https://t.co/hoegePk0xI pic.twitter.com/5EAUEDIRpp
— WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) June 23, 2025
Damian Lillard, JT, Hali wear the same number
To see top players go down during the playoffs was painful. Results of the games could have been different if only the players can stay healthy.
The caliber of the players is the most obvious similarity between those who went down but some fans noticed something else, too. They thought these All-Stars wear the same jersey number, causing some to ask if there’s something to it or if there’s voodoo in it.
All the same number wtf!?!? https://t.co/4b6YAYphtt
— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) June 23, 2025
Damian Lillard
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on in the first quarter during game four against the Indiana Pacers of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Lillard left the game early in the in the first quarter with an injury. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Even Lillard had to join theory-building for fun on his Instagram story.
Lol Dame pic.twitter.com/sNd27YbSGb
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) June 23, 2025
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