Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been cleared of the deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, the team announced Thursday. Lillard is out for Game 1 vs. the Pacers, but will have a period to resume contact workouts and gear up for his return.
Additionally, Lillard has been taken off blood-thinning medications that were being used to treat his DVT.
“We’re thrilled for Dame,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “Our priority has always been Dame’s health. We’re grateful to our medical team for diagnosing and treating his DVT at an early stage, and for the world-renown hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic.
“Every step of Dame’s recovery has been at the direction of world-class medical professionals and their specific and strict protocols that have allowed for Dame’s safe and healthy return to play.”
Per the team, Lillard will continue to increase his on-court basketball activity as he ramps up to return to play.
UPDATE: Damian Lillard has been cleared for full basketball activity as the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf has resolved and he is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
“We’re thrilled for Dame,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “Our priority has always been…
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 17, 2025
Earlier this week, the Bucks announced Lillard was on the mend and that his deep vein thrombosis had improved. At that time, the team said he would continue to increase his on-court basketball activity.
“Damian’s most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved, which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “Damian’s health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian’s progress.”
The Bucks begin their first-round series against Indiana on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Lillard, 34, is the second high-profile player to be sidelined this season because of DVT, joining San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama was diagnosed with it in his shoulder after he returned from the All-Star Game earlier this season.
DVT typically develops in the lower leg, so the diagnosis of it in Lillard’s calf is not uncommon. The 34-year-old Lillard finished the regular season ranked 10th in scoring (24.9) and 10th in assists (7.1). He earned his ninth All-Star Game selection this year.
Milwaukee went 10-4 without Lillard over its last 14 regular-season games and enters the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak.
The Bucks have dealt with injuries to key players every postseason since winning the NBA title in 2021.
Khris Middleton missed an entire seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Boston in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Giannis Antetokounmpo bruised his lower back in Milwaukee’s first playoff game in 2023 and didn’t return until Game 4 of a first-round series it lost 4-1 to the Miami Heat. In the Bucks’ 4-2 first-round loss to Indiana last year, Antetokounmpo didn’t play at all because of a calf strain and Lillard missed two games with an Achilles injury.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
