In a heartbreaking turn of events for Milwaukee Bucks fans, star point guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The injury, confirmed via MRI on Monday, marks a devastating end to Lillard’s 2025 season and raises serious questions about the Bucks’ playoff hopes.
The injury occurred during Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Lillard, who had just returned from a month-long absence due to a blood clot in his calf, collapsed while chasing an offensive rebound. He was unable to return to the game, and initial fears of an Achilles tear were confirmed by medical tests. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers had already hinted at a grim outlook, stating postgame that the prognosis was “not very promising,” per CBS Sports.
A Career-Altering Injury
A torn Achilles tendon is one of the most severe injuries an NBA player can face. According to a study published on ScienceDirect, professional basketball players who suffer this injury often struggle to return to their pre-injury form. On average, players take 10 months to return to play, with many experiencing a significant drop in performance. Of the players studied, only one out of 12 returned to their pre-injury level, while two never played in the elite league again. At 35 years old, Lillard faces an uphill battle to defy these odds.
Lillard’s absence is a massive blow to the Bucks, who are already trailing 0-2 in their series against the Pacers, despite a strong showing from Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points, 18 rebounds in Game 2, per Bleacher Report). With Lillard sidelined, the team will likely turn to Kevin Porter to fill the void, as noted by ESPN, but replacing a nine-time All-Star’s production and leadership will be no easy task.
