Bucks' Damian Lillard: Leads offense in return in Game 6
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Lillard tallied 28 points (7-16 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 10-10 FT), four assists and two rebounds over 35 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Lillard returned in Game 6 after missing the previous two games with an Achilles injury, doing all he could to help Milwaukee extend the series by leading all players in Thursday's series-ending contest in scoring and threes made while ending perfect from the free-throw line. Despite dealing with some injury issues during the first-round series against Indiana, Lillard posted 28 or more points in all four of his appearances while adding four or more threes in each of those contests.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Good to go for Game 6
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Lillard (Achilles) is available for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
Lillard has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing the previous two contests with right Achilles tendinitis. The star guard will likely replace Malik Beasley in the starting lineup. Lillard is averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 40.7 minutes across his previous three appearances in Milwaukee's first-round series against the Pacers.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Could suit up Thursday
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Lillard (Achilles) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard could return to action Thursday after missing the previous two contests with a right Achilles injury. While Lillard is reportedly more likely to suit up than Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), an official injury update should be released closer to the 6:30 p.m. ET tipoff.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Upgraded to questionable
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Lillard (Achilles) has been upgraded to questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard was initially deemed doubtful for a third consecutive matchup, but he's trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday's tipoff. If he's able to return to action, it'd provide a significant boost for the Bucks, who are attempting to keep their season alive by forcing a Game 7. If Lillard is unable to suit up, Malik Beasley will probably remain in the starting lineup, while Khris Middleton would likely be a centerpiece for Milwaukee.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Listed as doubtful again
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Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard is listed as doubtful for a third straight matchup after aggravating a right Achilles injury during Game 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, so Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley should remain in the starting lineup. The Bucks had a valiant effort in Game 5 at home to extend the series, led by Portis and Khris Middleton (ankle), but they still need to win back-to-back games to advance to the second round.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Won't play Tuesday
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Lillard (Achilles) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Lillard will miss his second straight contest after being downgraded from doubtful to out with a right Achilles strain. Malik Beasley will likely draw another start in Lillard's absence. If Milwaukee can win Game 5, Lillard's next chance to suit up will come in Game 6 on Thursday.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Listed as doubtful for Game 5
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Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers.
Lillard aggravated a right Achilles injury during Game 3 and missed Game 4 after being diagnosed with a strained tendon. The Bucks lost both games and now face elimination. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful despite a positive update over the weekend, so Khris Middleton (ankle) and Brook Lopez may have to lead Milwaukee's offense again, while Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis will likely remain in the starting lineup.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Status in doubt for Game 5
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Lillard's (Achilles) status for Game 5 against the Pacers on Tuesday is in doubt, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard has been playing through right Achilles soreness but aggravated the issue during Game 3 and was ruled out for Game 4 after being diagnosed with a strained tendon. Charania also said Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) isn't close to returning, so the Bucks may be without their top two weapons for a second straight game. Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis would likely remain in the starting lineup if Lillard and Antetokounmpo are out again, but Andre Jackson could also be a candidate for more minutes. Lillard's official status for the potential elimination game should be released Monday night.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Doubtful for Game 4
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Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 versus the Pacers.
A report from Shams Charania of The Athletic on Friday hinted at this, and now the Bucks have officially listed Lillard as doubtful on their injury report. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, so the Bucks will need guys like Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez to step up offensively.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Status for Game 4 in doubt
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Lillard suffered a strained Achilles in Friday's 121-118 overtime loss to the Pacers in Game 3, and the Bucks have "serious doubt" about his availability for Game 4 on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was able to return to Game 3 after suffering the injury and finished the contest with 28 points (6-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), eight assists, three steals and one rebound over 45 minutes. Official word on his Lillard's status for Sunday should arrive Saturday, when the Bucks release their next injury report. AJ Green, Andre Jackson and Malik Beasley would all be candidates to see increased minutes alongside Patrick Beverley in the backcourt should Lillard indeed need to sit out.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Returns to Game 3
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Lillard (knee) has returned to Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard went straight to the locker room after suffering an apparent left knee injury with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter, but he was back on the court to start the second period. Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 2, and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, so Lillard's return is a major relief. The All-Star has scored 69 points through the first two games of the series but struggled in the second half on both matchups, which allowed Indiana to even the series with a Game 2 win Tuesday.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Heads to locker room
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Lillard left Friday's Game 3 with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter due to an apparent left knee injury and went to the locker room, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard drove to the basket for a layup and gently collided with Pascal Siakam but landed awkwardly and had to be helped to the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, and Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle injury he suffered early in Game 2, so Lillard's potential absence couldn't come at a worse time. AJ Green subbed in for Lillard, but Pat Connaughton and Malik Beasley are also candidates for increased roles until the All-Star point guard can return.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Scores team-high 34 points in loss
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Lillard totaled 34 points (10-21 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds, five assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Lillard followed up his 35-point performance in Game 1 with another solid number, but his stellar play wasn't enough this time. His supporting cast was much less effective in Game 2, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's (calf) missing output continues to plague the offense. Lillard's excellent start to the postseason is no surprise, as he's averaged 29.5 points, 6.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds over 62 playoff games in his career.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Catches fire in Game 1 victory
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Lillard finished with 35 points (11-24 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 7-7 FT), six rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes during Sunday's 109-94 victory over Indiana in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Lillard scored all of his team-high 35 points in the first half, the most ever through two quarters by a Bucks player in playoff history. Although he failed to score in the second half, the damage was done, leading his team to an emphatic Game 1 victory. With Giannis Antetokounmpo likely to miss at least another game, Lillard will need to come out firing again Tuesday if the Bucks are to secure a 2-0 series lead.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Not listed on injury report
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Lillard (adductor) is not in the official injury report for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
The Bucks are listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) as doubtful for the series opener. However, there's no mention of Lillard, and given he practiced Friday with no problems after resting the previous two days, he should be able to handle his regular workload. Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game during the regular season, and his usage rate should increase considerably in the playoffs as long as Antetokounmpo remains out.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Back at practice Friday
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Lillard (adductor) practiced Friday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday to rest lingering injuries but is trending in the right direction after putting in a full session Friday. However, his status for Game 1 of the opening-round series against Indiana on Sunday likely won't be known until Saturday afternoon.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Still not practicing, status TBD
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Lillard didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday due to lingering groin and abductor injuries, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.
Lillard has been dealing with the injuries for the last three weeks and missed four of the Bucks' final nine regular-season games. The superstar sharpshooter said Tuesday he won't be 100 percent for the postseason but added that no one is at this point in the campaign. Coach Doc Rivers said tests on Lillard's lower body returned clean but added that he still wanted to give his point guard "a little more rest."
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Struggles from field in defeat
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Lillard ended with 16 points (2-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 12-13 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 30 minutes during Sunday's 113-88 loss to the Magic.
Lillard returned for Sunday's regular-season finale after missing Milwaukee's previous game with adductor soreness and struggled mightily from the field in one of his worst games of the season. Lillard tied a season-low in field goals made Sunday, though he posted his 11th game with 12 or more three throw made. The Bucks hope Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are able to get healthy and back to 100 percent as the postseason gets underway. The 3-seed Bucks will take on the 6-seed Pacers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Officially available Sunday
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Lillard (adductor) has been cleared for Sunday's game against Orlando.
Lillard will take the court as Milwaukee's leader once again, as Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss a third consecutive contest due to a calf injury. A win secures the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference for Milwaukee, signifying an opportunity for second-round home-court advantage in the playoffs.
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Bucks' Damian Lillard: Expected to play Sunday
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Lillard (adductor) is listed as probable for Sunday's game versus the Magic.
Lillard is expected to return to action Sunday after missing Milwaukee's previous contest with left adductor soreness. If the star point guard is upgraded to available, either Patrick Beverley or Malik Beasley will likely head back to the bench.
