The Milwaukee Bucks now have a diagnosis for Damian Lillard – a blood clot.
The team issued a statement Tuesday night saying the 34-year old point guard has a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.
Bucks beat writer Jim Owczarski also said, according to a league source, there is no timeline for Lillard to return to play.
The team added Lillard is taking blood-thinning medication “which has stabilized the DVT.” The team will proceed with regular testing.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in the statement emailed to media. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”
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After missing the Bucks game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night with what was then categorized as a calf strain in his right leg, Lillard was trying to learn more about his injury.
“It’s been frustrating just obviously not being able to play this point in the season,” he said.
The 34-year-old has been a quick scratch the last couple of games. Lillard was initially questionable for the game Thursday against the Lakers in Los Angeles with calf soreness, and then he was quickly ruled for the game Saturday against the Kings in Sacramento when the injury was updated to say the soleus muscle in his right calf was sore. He was then quickly ruled out for Monday’s game in Phoenix as the team listed it as a calf strain.
“Just the normal soreness,” Lillard said. “I’m not sure how much I could actually be doing about it, so it’s still at that stage.”