The impact of Damian Lillard’s medical setback on the Bucks
Damian Lillard faces deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, a serious medical condition requiring blood-thinning medication. This setback forces Doc Rivers to rely on unproven depth like Kevin Porter Jr. as the Bucks struggle to compete against elite teams in the Eastern Conference.
Lillard’s health dictates the Bucks’ ceiling
Damian Lillard faces deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, a condition that requires blood-thinning medication. This medical setback follows his previous Achilles injury where he collapsed in the first quarter of Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers. The 35-year-old veteran, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract featuring a no-trade clause and a player opt-out, faces the difficult task of returning to his best form after this serious medical setback. Lillard’s condition involves the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which complicates his return timeline. This diagnosis makes Lillard the second high-profile player to be sidelined this season due to DVT, following Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds across 58 appearances last season while shooting 54.7% from the field. His availability remains the primary concern for a Milwaukee roster attempting to navigate a difficult stretch.
| Statistic | 2024-25 Season Value |
|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 24.9 |
| Assists Per Game | 7.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 4.7 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 54.7% |
Doc Rivers must manage a struggling rotation
Doc Rivers held an open forum with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to discuss the issues preventing the team from functioning as a top-tier contender during their recent seven-game stretch. This meeting, reported by Chris Haynes, occurred after the Bucks went 2-5 in those games and faced struggles against the league’s best. The team’s offensive struggles remain apparent as they fall into the bottom 10 across the last seven games, despite being second in the league in three-point percentage and fifth in effective field goal percentage. Rivers expects a committee of players like Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins to absorb the offensive load while Lillard remains sidelined. The team currently sits fifth in the East, yet they struggle against the league’s elite, going 0-11 against the four teams with the best records. I find the reliance on such unproven depth to be a major weakness for this roster. You already know how fragile a playoff run becomes when a star sits out. The swap of Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton did not resolve the team’s depth issues. The roster must now rely on players like Kevin Porter Jr., who recently scored 23 points, to step up.
New rules and star limitations
The 2026-27 season brings updated officiating priorities focused on flopping and dangerous closeouts to the court. Officials also emphasize illegal screens and freedom of movement to improve player safety. The league’s focus on offensive players using their off-arm to create illegal contact aims to reduce dangerous contact. LeBron James and Joel Embiid face 30-minute restrictions to start the season, a move that underscores the league’s intense focus on player safety and long-term health for its aging superstars. The league also implements a new 3-2-1 Lottery system to discourage teams from losing games, expanding the lottery from 14 to 16 teams. Most teams that miss the playoffs and Play-In Tournament receive three lottery balls, while the three teams with the worst records receive only two. This system includes restrictions to prevent teams from repeatedly benefiting from losing seasons by limiting consecutive No. 1 selections using their own picks. Will the Bucks find enough production from their supporting cast to survive the postseason?
