A silent threat is rampant among the NBA athletes, and it just claimed its latest victim. It looks like a blast from the past for NBA fans, but not for good reasons. Back in 2015, Chris Bosh’s career came to an abrupt end after doctors discovered blood clots that had traveled from his legs to his lungs. The 2x NBA champion was forced to step away from the game due to a life-threatening condition. Fast forward to today, and a similar fear is creeping back into the league. Damian Lillard was also diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, raising serious concerns about his future on the court.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” said general manager Jon Horst. “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.”
Currently, Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which the Bucks says has stabilized his condition. But that hasn’t stopped NBA legend Kevin Garnett from voicing his frustrations. The Celtics icon isn’t just worried about Lillard—he’s frustrated by how little players understand these health risks. “When you hear stuff like this, it’d be really the medication you take sometimes. Y’all know this. You have to go through extensive tests just for these reasons here, on how you’re not only reacting to it, but if the medicine is affecting any bodily organs,” he explained.
Three NBA players have been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in the past year.
Between lack of hydration, constant air travel, and anti-inflammatory medication, are there potential causes that are being overlooked? pic.twitter.com/BSKHorQqIA
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) March 28, 2025
KG even recalled how players used to take Vioxx and Innocent for pain without fully knowing the risks. So what’s his advice? “Lord, we got in the league when none of this here. So I say that to say, if you ain’t hydrated, because that’s the first problem, where every person in the league is that he’s not hydrated. Every person that you see playing is probably dehydrated. That’s because you’re running eight, nine miles a night.”
Still, Garnett knows he’s not a doctor, just someone who’s learned through experience. “Because some of those hard medicines, Nate, man, it really goes, it really, really puts a burden on your bloodstream and a burden on your body, man,” he admitted. As the NBA world watches Damian Lillard’s health battle unfold, one thing is clear—this isn’t just about basketball anymore.
Like Damian Lillard, the NBA struggles with Deep Vein Thrombosis
It’s one of those medical conditions that doesn’t get talked about enough, but deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious issue in sports. It happens when a blood clot forms inside a vein, blocking circulation back to the heart. While it’s most common in the legs, it can also affect the arms.
The causes of DVT vary, making it an unpredictable threat. It can develop due to immobility, trauma, dehydration, or even genetics. Symptoms often include unexplained swelling, pain, or skin discoloration. But the real danger lies in what happens next. If the clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it can cause a pulmonary embolism—or worse, be fatal.
The NBA has felt the impact of this condition for years. Chris Bosh’s career ended because of it, and now Damian Lillard is dealing with the same diagnosis. But they’re not the only ones. Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Ingram, Ausar Thompson, Anderson Varejão, and Mirza Teletović have all battled DVT. For Varejão and Teletović, it was a career-ending blow.
But this isn’t just an NBA problem. NHL stars like Frederik Andersen and Brock Boeser have been sidelined by blood clots. MLB pitcher Scott Oberg had surgery to remove clots in his throwing elbow, and NFL lineman Billy Price retired at just 29 due to complications.
Clearly, DVT isn’t just a health scare—it’s a real threat to some of the biggest names in sports.
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