Bucks' Damian Lillard Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Damian Lillard’s Comeback Cut Short by Season-Ending Achilles Injury

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard left Fiserv Forum on crutches and in a walking boot Sunday night after suffering what appears to be a torn Achilles tendon, according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers didn’t hide his concern during his post-game press conference, stating, “Honestly, it doesn’t look good.”

“I knew immediately,” Rivers added. “My heart goes out to him—he fought so hard to return for his team. It’s just really tough.”

An MRI conducted this morning confirmed the worst—Lillard’s season is officially over, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season. pic.twitter.com/ysZ0nw8gxW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 28, 2025

The injury occurred in the first quarter as Lillard attempted to redirect an offensive rebound to a teammate.

He suddenly fell to the floor, clutching his left leg, and remained down through Milwaukee’s defensive possession. Unable to put weight on the leg, he needed assistance to exit the court.

“It’s heartbreaking,” teammate Bobby Portis said. “A guy works his way back, gives everything he has, and then this happens. We’re all hurting for him—we need him out there.”

The injury marks a devastating turn in Lillard’s comeback journey after he missed over a month due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.

He had recently been cleared to play without blood thinners, returning for Game 2 after sitting out the series opener.

Collier notes that Lillard’s exit deflated a Bucks team hoping to even their first-round playoff series against Indiana.

Milwaukee trailed just 15-12 when he left with 5:57 left in the first quarter, but the Pacers seized momentum with a 10-3 run, built an 11-point halftime lead, and ultimately won by 26—putting the Bucks on the brink of elimination heading into Tuesday’s Game 5.

An early playoff exit would extend Milwaukee’s streak of first-round defeats to three years, raising questions about the team’s future. Since winning the 2021 championship, the Bucks have only advanced past the first round once.

Trade rumors are already swirling around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has two years remaining on his contract, including a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.

“Everyone in this locker room knows what’s at stake,” Antetokounmpo said. “The next man has to step up. We have to play together, move the ball, and find a way to win.”

Even the Pacers, who have engaged in heated exchanges with the Bucks throughout the series, expressed sympathy for Lillard. Myles Turner called him part of the NBA’s “brotherhood” and wished him a full recovery.

Tyrese Haliburton, who had several on-court battles with Lillard, opened his post-game comments with well-wishes.

“Before anything else, I want to send my prayers to Dame,” Haliburton said. “What you see between us is competition—but nobody wants to see that happen, especially to a guy who’s fought through so much to get back after a serious health scare. I have nothing but love for him. It’s awful to see, and I hope he recovers well.”