Breaking: Damian Lillard In Walking Boot; To Join Antetokounmpo On Sidelines

 This is the last thing the Milwaukee Bucks need right now. With superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo already on the sidelines and not having played a single game yet in these playoffs, it now appears that the Bucks may be without Damian Lillard as well going forward. 

Lillard is in a walking boot on Saturday after suffering a Grade 1 Achilles strain in their Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers Friday night. 

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has suffered a strained Achilles, is in a walking boot and there is serious doubt over his availability for Game 4 vs. Pacers on Sunday, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/jQUJpovsSM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2024

Insider Shams Charania says "there is serious doubt over his availability for Game 4," and indicates that Lillard has played through significant soreness in his Achilles tendon in recent weeks, and reaggravated the injury late in the fourth quarter of their Game 3 loss Friday night.

This is the play that Damian Lillard injured his Achilles. MRI will determine severity and return to play timeline

Grade I: 2 weeks
Grade II: partial tear (weeks to months)

The risks of coming back early is Achilles rupture pic.twitter.com/VNvUCjHlMG

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 27, 2024

Sports doctor Evan Jeffries indicates that if it is indeed a Grade 1 strain, Lillard would likely be out for two weeks. Anything more serious than that and his season is definitely over. Jeffries also warns that the risk of coming back too soon is a full Achilles rupture.

The Pacers lead the series 2-1, and can put a stranglehold on things in Game 4 on Sunday, likely with the prospect of facing a Bucks team that is minus both Giannis and Dame.

Photto: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports