The NBA playoffs are just around the corner, with the play-in tournament starting on Tuesday night. The playoffs are where NBA stars make their names and cement their legacies, with many even joking that NBA stands for “Nothing Before April.”
Unfortunately, one of the NBA’s top talents will be unavailable for the start of the playoffs and possibly the entirety of them, according to one prominent league insider.
“Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard (blood clot) will miss the start of the NBA playoffs, sources tell ESPN. Bucks play Game 1 of the first round against the Pacers on Saturday. Lillard has been sidelined since March 18, and doctors continue to monitor progress for clearance,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday afternoon.
Charania followed up his initial report with more details on Lillard’s progression.
“Liillard has, however, made significant progress with the blood clot and there remains optimism for his clearance at some point in the playoffs, sources said. He is continuing to increase basketball activity this week.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Probably at the point when the Bucks are no longer in the playoffs,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“At least the bucks fans will have their built in excuse again,” someone else added.
“Life is more important Dame. Get yourself right, and don’t worry about the team. The young guys are picking up the slack,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.