Milwaukee Bucks tried their best to keep the team healthy come playoff time since that is what doomed them in the last three playoffs. Alas, that won’t happen this season as Damian Lillard is out indefinitely due to blood-clot on his calf.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, Blood Clot
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up before game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Lillard is now undergoing medication for blood-thinning and according a statement he released through Chris Haynes, he is more focused now on getting healthy rather than the current NBA season.
Dame averages 24.9 points per game. Who’s going to fill the shoes he left? Doc Rivers said it will be a whole committee.
“It’s not going to be one guy. It’s not even going to be Ryan (Rollins) and just Scoot (Kevin Porter Jr),” Rivers said after their loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The team also did not have Giannis Antetokounmpo in that match due to foot discomfort.
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Feb 23, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) reaches for the loose ball in front of Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
“It’s going to be a bunch of guys. You’re not going to replace what Dame does. We may be able to do different things. Defensively, we may do different things, offensively. This is part of it. Everyone goes through them. Obviously, nothing like this, but we’ll figure it out. I’m very confident in our team.”
2 players who steps up for Damian Lillard
The Bucks played their first game since the news of Lillard’s illness in loss to the Denver. They had to pull Porter Jr. from the bench and turn him in to a starter.
KPJ just continued playing his role as an instant source of scoring as he finished with 12 points. He also had seven rebounds and eight assists.
Rollins was initially the first replacment for Lillard in the starting unit but he has been inconsistent. Even scored no point in 21 minutes against the Kings.
Ryan Rollins, Doc Rivers, Kevin Porter Jr.
Feb 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers (M) talks to Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) and Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) during a stoppage in play against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
He played like a man on a mission against the Nuggets though. He scored 17 points and earned praise from Rivers.
“I thought he just played great. He played downhill,” he said as quoted by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
“Didn’t force much…That was another one, a goaltend on his lay-up, and that was confirmed as well. These are two big plays, five minutes left in the game that didn’t go our way.”
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