Damian Lillard will miss Tuesday’s high-profile game against the Phoenix Suns, according to the Milwaukee Bucks. The 33-year-old came into the game with a dubious tag, but there was some hope that he’d be able to play in the final game of Milwaukee’s five-game road trip.
This was not to be, however, as Lillard appears to be battling with a more significant ankle injury than first thought.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard Played Through Injury vs. Jazz
The reason there was so much optimism about Lillard’s condition for Tuesday’s game was that he had the same status going into Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Despite the controversial tag, Dame dressed up against the Jazz in what turned out to be a crushing defeat for the Bucks.
At one point during the game, Lillard landed awkwardly on his left foot, which had an ankle sprain. He appeared to be in pain as he staggered back to the opposite end of the floor following a poster slam on Jazz big man Walker Kessler. However, Dame landed on Kessler’s foot, perhaps aggravating the injury.
Lillard played 38 minutes and finished with 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting, six assists, and three turnovers.
‘He Should Not Have Played’
NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report has provided a somewhat alarming update on Lillard’s injury status. Haynes reminded out that Dame struggled against the Jazz, which was most likely due to an ankle problem. The league insider believes Lillard should not have been cleared to play in the first place.
“Dame was questionable for that last game at Utah,” Haynes stated (via HoopsHype). “I didn’t play very well. He was uncertain due to an ankle ailment. He should not have played. He probably should not have played. He told me that his ankle was ailing him. So we’ll see how he progresses with that injury in the coming games; I’m not ready to say if he’ll miss any games right now. But I simply want to clarify that he is battling with an ankle ailment.
Haynes’ comments came before the Bucks declared Lillard out for Tuesday night’s game. It’s unclear whether the eight-time All-Star’s absence will be more than just one game.
Leave a Reply