MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks star guard Damian Lillard will be sidelined indefinitely due to a blood clot in his right leg, the team announced Tuesday.
Lillard, 34, has deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is taking blood-thinning medication, per NBA.com. The nine-time All-Star has missed the last three games for the Bucks, having last played March 18 at the Golden State Warriors.
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein located within the body, usually in your leg, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While DVT itself is not life-threatening, the blood clots can travel through the bloodstream and lead to complications such as a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening.
“It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up,” Lillard told senior NBA insider Chris Haynes. “Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety. As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m grateful the Bucks acted quickly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive throughout this process. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career.”
Bucks general manager Jon Horst said Lillard’s health is the team’s “number one priority.”
“We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play,” Horst said in a statement. “Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”
Lillard is in 13th NBA season and his second with Milwaukee. The seven-time All-NBA honoree is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 58 games this season for the Bucks.