The Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers are set to lock horns tonight. With a commanding 2-0 series lead, the Pacers are in a strong position to advance to the next round. However, you can never really count out a team that has Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on its roster. At least, on paper. But can the returning point guard lace up for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Is he good to go for another start after being sidelined for a month with deep vein thrombosis? We can find out by peeking at the injury report submitted by the Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report – Will Damian Lillard play in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers?
The news of Damian Lillard’s DVT diagnosis took the NBA world by storm. Just a few prior, Victor Wembanyama got shut down for the 2024/25 season for the same reason. It appeared as though Dame’s season was over, and with it, the Bucks’ title campaign, as well. However, as we can see, Dame made a miraculous recovery to help his time.
And even a cursory glance at the Bucks’ injury report reveals that this recovery has stuck. Damian Lillard is not on the Bucks’ injury report for Game 3. He is AVAILABLE for Game 3 in this first-round Playoff series against Indiana.
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles during the 3rd quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
The only player present on the Bucks’ injury report is Tyler Smith. His availability for Game 3 remains QUESTIONABLE as he deals with an ankle injury. Smith has been unavailable for the last 3 Milwaukee games. Even when he’s healthy, though, Smith doesn’t feature too heavily in the Bucks’ rotation. So it’s not like they’re missing a key player.
Similarly, the Indiana Pacers are missing only one player as well. Isaiah Jackson is still in recovery after tearing his Achilles tendon in November last year. He is OUT for the third game against Milwaukee. And Pacers fans; don’t expect him to make a comeback anytime soon.
But that’s it for the injured personnel on both teams. Damian Lillard no longer being among the injured will certainly be a huge boost to this Bucks team. However, can Dame recapture the form he was in ahead of the devastating DVT diagnosis?
Damian Lillard needs to step up big-time if the Bucks want a comeback in this series
Dame played against the Pacers in Game 2 so he could give the Bucks a lift. That’s why he called Doc Rivers in the morning despite being out for a month because of the health scare. However, things didn’t end up going Dame’s or the Bucks’ way.
They lost 123-115, and the Pacers went 2-0 up in the series. Dame himself had quite a slow night. He registered 14 points, going 4-13 from the field. His 3-point shooting also left a lot to be desired, with only a quarter of his shots from beyond the arc finding their mark. With the high-stakes third game on the horizon, Damian Lillard cannot afford another similar showing.
Oct 14, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Damian Lillard (0) look on in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Being 3-0 down in the series against a team like the Pacers is a recipe to get booted from the first round of the Playoffs. So, if they want to stand any chance of making it to the second round, Milwaukee must win this game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 35 points in the last 2 games. Clearly, he’s turning it on now that we’re in the postseason. And Lillard needs to do the same so that the Bucks can, at the very least, make this series competitive. Moreover, if ‘Dame-Time’ and the ‘Greek Freak’ are both in good form, there are very few teams in the league that can handle them.
So, can the Bucks reduce the deficit in this upcoming game 3? Or will the Pacers make it nearly impossible for them to come back by going 3-0 up? Let us know!
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