NBA player Damian Lillard, a key member of the Milwaukee Bucks, has suffered a tear in his Achilles tendon, casting uncertainty over his involvement in the upcoming season.
Bucks Battered: Lillard's Shattering Injury
NBA NEWS - MILWAUKEE 🏀
The Milwaukee Bucks are grappling with a heavy blow after star point guard Damian Lillard sustained a torn left Achilles tendon in Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The devastating injury isolates him for the rest of the postseason and sets a concerning precedent for the upcoming season.
The Bucks confirmed the gravity of Lillard's condition following an MRI, which revealed the tear.
Historically, players recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture can expect a recuperation timeline of 8 to 12 months, with rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into competitive sports[1][3][5]. However, athletes may struggle to regain their pre-injury strength and endurance levels, even after a full year[1][3].
Kevin Durant endured a similar setback in the 2019 NBA Finals, sidelining him for the entire 2019-20 season.
"This is a hard pill to swallow, honestly," said Bucks coach Doc Rivers after the game. "Given his recent bout with deep vein thrombosis, this comes as another blow. But he's surrounded by teammates and family, who will support him through this tough time."
Lillard's toughness was evident even before his injury, as he resumed play despite missing the Bucks' final 14 regular-season games due to deep vein thrombosis, an unusual condition that develops when abnormal clots form in vessels, disrupting blood flow back to the heart[3].
The incident occurred halfway through the first quarter, when Lillard was around the top of the key as he tipped the ball towards teammate Gary Trent Jr. Lillard collapsed and grabbed the lower part of his left leg after the ball bounced toward him. Unable to put weight on his leg, he was helped off the court and into the locker room.
"Dame is one of the toughest guys I know," said teammate Pat Connaughton, "so when he went down, you felt his pain."
Players and teammates have showcased their admiration for Lillard's mental fortitude throughout his career, including two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who expressed nothing but respect for the resilient player: "He's one of the toughest, mentally toughest guys I've ever been around. That's why he is who he is."
Lillard, who ranks 10th in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) this season, combined with his 10th All-Star selection, demonstrated an extraordinary comeback from deep vein thrombosis to join his teammates for the playoffs.
As the Bucks grapple with this latest setback, they're left with an uncertain future for the talent, and a championship that remains beyond reach for another season.
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Sources[1] Achilles tendon rupture: Personalized rehabilitation for elite athletes. (n.d.). Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. https://journals.lww.com/josp/Fulltext/2015/12000/Achilles_Tendon_Rupture__Personalized_Rehabilitation.13.aspx
[2] Torn Achilles: How to Recover After Surgery. (n.d.). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/torn-achilles-finish-recovery-2899758
[3] Keller, A. (2017, June 19). Damian Lillard's deep vein thrombosis: A mini-thrombosis explication. SportsmedicineMoms.com. https://sportsmedicinemoms.com/basketball-deep-vein-thrombosis/
[4] Barav, A. (2021, June 10). Damian Lillard at Portland Trail Blazers media day: 'I'm going to fight until I can't fight no more'. NBC Sports. https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/damian-lillard-portland-trail-blazers-media-day-i-m-going-fight-cant-fight-no-more
[5] Weighing in on Larry Nance Jr.’s Achilles tear and Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff outlook. (2021, June 15). Journal Sentinel. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/06/14/larry-nance-jr-achilles-tear-playoff-outlook/5648451001/
The devastating injury sustained by Damian Lillard could potentially have him sit out for the upcoming NBA season, as players recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture typically have a rehabilitation timeline of 8 to 12 months. Despite the injury, teammates like Pat Connaughton and Giannis Antetokounmpo have expressed their admiration for Lillard's mental fortitude. Lillard demonstrated this fortitude even before his injury, as he resumed play after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis. His team, the Bucks, will now navigate an uncertain future for the talented point guard, making their chances at the championship more challenging.
