Damian Lillard | Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
National Basketball Association (NBA) Milwaukee “Bucks” player Damian Lillard has suffered a sprained Achilles tendon, according to “The Athletic” columnist Sham Sharania.
It has already been announced that the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers 118-121 in overtime in the first round of the play-off last night, trailing 1-2 in the series. Milwaukee’s star Lillard left the court briefly in the first quarter, but he played practically the entire game and scored 28 points. True, in the decisive part of the game, Lillard was again visible with grimaces of pain, and he did not make a single shot in overtime.
After the game, Lillard revealed that he had been dealing with Achilles tendon pain since the last game of the regular season. Lillard attended today’s Bucks practice using a leg brace. “I wanted to be on the court to help the team in some way,” Lillard said of playing despite his health issues. “It’s a part of the body you can’t control – if you can’t go, you can’t go. We have a few days to try to improve the situation.”
Therefore, Lillard’s going on the court in the fourth match of the series is doubtful. “Bucks” will thus, most likely, have to do without two of their leaders, as it should be remembered that Yannis Adetokunbo, who is suffering from a calf muscle strain, has not yet played in this series. “Bucks” head coach Doc Rivers said that Adetokunbo probably won’t be ready for the next match either. “He is training hard, we will have to make a decision, but I doubt he will play. But we’ll see,” Rivers commented on the Greek’s readiness.
The fourth game of the series is scheduled for Monday night at 1:00 Latvian time.
