While Lillard will be out indefinitely, The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick reported there is "optimism" that he will return this season.
Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the end of a back-to-back set in February with a right knee injury, listed as right patella tendinopathy. He was then listed as out with a calf injury for two more games before the Bucks announced he would be out through the All-Star break.
When healthy, Antetokounmpo has averaged 30.2 points and 12.0 rebounds while playing almost 34 minutes as the driving force of the Bucks' offense.
With Antetokounmpo and Lillard out, Milwaukee will rely on Kyle Kuzma even more.
Damian Lillard Out Indefinitely with Blood Clot in Calf amid Bucks' NBA Playoff Push
Joseph Zucker
Mar 25, 2025
An already frustrating season for the Milwaukee Bucks took another turn after guard Damian Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. He is out indefinitely.
According to The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick, "there is a great deal of optimism" that Lillard will return this season.
Nehm and Amick added that concern regarding Lillard's ailment escalated on Thursday and he continued to feel discomfort in his calf with "pain beyond the typical calf strain."
"A rigorous discovery process began from there, with Lillard eventually visiting with five of the top hematologists in the United States, either in person (including at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix on Tuesday) or via Zoom," Nehm and Amick wrote. "Each of the specialists received his MRIs and sonograms as part of the process. Lillard began taking blood thinners on Friday, the source said, adding that there are encouraging signs that the treatment is working well."
Lillard released a statement to NBA insider Chris Haynes after the news broke.
Damian Lillard to me on his diagnosis:“It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up. Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety. As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m…
Lillard has already sat three straight contests due to the issue.
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Earlier this season, Lillard missed three games in November due to a concussion. He also sat four straight games in December (two due to a right calf strain and then two more because of an illness).
Lillard previously suffered right calf injuries a few years ago when he played for the Portland Trail Blazers, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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"Lillard suffered two strains to that calf (including the soleus muscle, specifically) early in the 2022 season while he was with Portland, which forced him to miss a total of 10 games over a total of three weeks," Owczarski wrote.
The eight-time All-Star is averaging 24.9 points on 44.8 percent shooting, including 37.6 percent on threes, and dishing out 7.1 assists per contest. All of those are right around his career averages.
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The Bucks are currently 40-31, good enough for fifth in the Eastern Conference. They're almost assured of a playoff spot at this point without needing to qualify via the play-in, with the seventh-place Atlanta Hawks five games back with 10 games to go.
But we're more than a year removed from the Lillard trade and we're still waiting for the Bucks to reach the heights they thought they could attain by pairing him with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Removing Lillard from the lineup for any stretch of time just shows how thin the roster has become behind him and Giannis.
Without Lillard, the Bucks have rolled with a lineup featuring Ryan Rollins in his place alongside Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince and Brook Lopez. Milwaukee has then used a three-man bench with Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and A.J. Green.
NBA Rumors: Doc Rivers Met with Giannis, Dame After Warriors Loss amid Bucks Struggles
Doric Sam
Mar 19, 2025
After the Milwaukee Bucks disappointingly fell to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night for their fifth loss in their last seven games, head coach Doc Rivers reportedly made a serious attempt to figure out a solution.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Rivers held a private meeting with Bucks superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in hopes of identifying the reason for the team's struggles and how to fix them:
Sources: With Bucks struggling and after dispirited loss to Warriors, Doc Rivers called a meeting with his two superstars: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Details inside #haynesbriefspic.twitter.com/lhC0PfREoG
The Bucks suffered a 104-93 loss to a Warriors team that was playing without star point guard Stephen Curry. Antetokounmpo had 20 points on 5-of-16 shooting, while Lillard was limited to 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting as Milwaukee fell to 38-30, just a half-game ahead of the Detroit Pistons for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
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Haynes explained that Rivers gave Antetokounmpo and Lillard the opportunity to voice their opinions on what's been plaguing the Bucks over this recent stretch.
"In this meeting, I'm told, was an open forum for both stars to provide input on ways to improve the team," Haynes said. "It was a constructive session with each individual being allowed to share their perspectives."
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Milwaukee appeared to be on the verge of a special season when it won the NBA In-Season Tournament championship in December. Antetokounmpo is in the midst of an MVP-caliber year with averages of 30.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.3 blocks. Lillard has also been more effective in his second year with the team, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 1.2 steals.
Still, the Bucks have struggled to find consistency throughout the year, as the supporting cast behind the two superstars has underachieved overall. Forward Kyle Kuzma, who was acquired from the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline in exchange for longtime swingman Khris Middleton, has averaged just 13.7 points across 19 games in Milwaukee.
The Bucks will be hoping that the meeting between Rivers, Antetokounmpo and Lillard will pay dividends when they return to action on Thursday in a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Giannis Says He Wouldn't Ask for Trade amid Rumors: Bucks 'Would Have to Kick Me Out'
Doric Sam
Feb 19, 2025
Many have speculated that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a candidate to be traded as soon as this summer, but if he had it his way, he wouldn't be leaving the Cream City anytime soon.
While speaking to Greek reporters Vassilis Skountis and Rigas Dardalis of COSMOTE TV (h/t Eurohoops.net), Antetokounmpo shot down the notion that he would request a trade from the Bucks.
"I don’t think that I would ever text (and ask for a trade), I am not this kind of guy, they would have to kick me out," he said.
While referencing the trade of star guard Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, Skountis and Dardalis joked with Antetokounmpo about the possibility of being sent to the Detroit Pistons, which drew a comical reaction.
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"At least Luka went from Dallas to L.A., why you are sending me to Detroit," Antetokounmpo asked with a smile.
Still, it's not guaranteed that the Bucks won't explore drastic moves this summer. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 29-24 record and doesn't appear to be one of the top contenders for an NBA title despite Antetokounmpo's brilliant season. The 30-year-old added that he understands the nature of the NBA and would accept his fate if the team decided to trade him.
"NBA is business, if I got traded I would inform my family and would do my job," he said.
Khris Middleton Thanks Bucks in IG Photo After Wizards Trade, Ready for 'New Chapter'
Zach Bachar
Feb 14, 2025
Khris Middleton thanked the Milwaukee Bucks for his time with the organization following his trade to the Washington Wizards.
Middleton gave a shoutout to the Bucks and their fans in an Instagram post on Friday.
"From the moment I stepped foot in this city, you embraced me," Middleton said in the post, via the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "Together, we experienced the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender, and ultimately, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship."
On Feb. 5, the Bucks dealt Middleton to Washington as part of a four-team swap that also included the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
Milwaukee received Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma and Knicks center Jericho Sims to go along with a 2025 second-round pick in return.
Middleton had been a member of the Bucks since the 2013-14 season, developing into a three-time All-Star. He owns career averages of 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 46.1/38.9/87.9 shooting splits with Milwaukee.
The 33-year-old played a key role in the Bucks' 2021 NBA Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns, recording 24.0 points and 5.3 assists per game in six appearances during the series.
Middleton ranks No. 3 on Milwaukee's all-time scoring list and assists list. His 735 games played are also the second-most in Bucks history.
As Middleton begins a new journey with the Wizards, he took some time to reflect on his tenure in Milwaukee.
Bucks GM: Khris Middleton, Kyle Kuzma Trade Was 'the Hardest Transaction' I Made
Julia Stumbaugh
Feb 11, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst said trading Khris Middleton was the "hardest" transaction of his career.
Middleton was in the middle of his 12th season with the team when Horst agreed to a four-team trade that sent Middleton to the Washington Wizards.
The Bucks also sent out rookie AJ Johnson and brought back Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, draft capital and salary flexibility as part of the deal.
“It has to be the hardest thing transactionally that I’ve ever done, from the human side of it, the roster side of it, the culture of the team, our community,” Horst said, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I’m incredibly close with Khris personally, his family. I love them. I probably have more Middleton jerseys in my house than anything and will still have more Middleton jerseys in my house than anything."
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Horst continued, per Owczarski:
"So not comfortable with it, but it’s still the awesome responsibility to try to take this franchise and maximize the window that we have now as best we can and what we think gives us the best chance to win, and figure out how to continue winning going forward. And there’s a very narrow set of opportunities that we felt that we could do that, and this was one of them.
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"Looking at it, this isn’t a Khris or a Kyle comparison, although that’s the easy thing to do. It’s the team before the trade deadline and the team after the trade deadline, and to be determined with an open roster spot, that we felt like in totality we positioned ourselves to have a better run this year. In a really weird way – that doesn’t do anything to diminish the multi-time, three-time all-star, Olympian, NBA champion, pillar in the community, everything that Khris Middleton was for this franchise for over a decade, my entire, not my entire, but his entire time here together.
"So, not comfortable with it. Still never will be comfortable with it. But do believe that we did the right thing for the right reasons, and hopefully in the right way."
It was former general manager John Hammond who acquired Khris Middleton in a 2013 trade with the Detroit Pistons. Horst then took over for Hammond in 2017.
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Middleton leaves Milwaukee second in franchise history only to Giannis Antetokounmpo in games played and minutes played, and third to Antetokounmpo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career points. He ranks first in franchise history in three-pointers and three-point attempts.
His clutch shooting helped lead the Bucks to victory over the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Middleton has struggled with injury issues over the last few seasons, and his $31 million cap hit put the Bucks above the second luxury tax apron.
The Bucks will now look to make their next playoff run without Middleton, but with additional roster flexibility afforded by avoiding the harshest luxury tax penalties.
Damian Lillard Thrills NBA Fans as Bucks Beat Joel Embiid, 76ers amid Giannis Injury
Feb 9, 2025
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 09: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 09, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for the next week with a "mild calf strain," which will include missing the All-Star Game next weekend, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
So Damian Lillard picked up the slack on Sunday.
The star guard was fantastic against the Philadelphia 76ers, putting up 43 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in a 135-127 Milwaukee win.
That spoiled strong performances from Joel Embiid (27 points, 12 rebounds, six assists) and Tyrese Maxey (39 points, five assists), though Paul George managed just 12 points.
Gary Trent Jr. chipped in with 23 points off the bench for the Bucks.
But Lillard was the story after he scorched the Sixers, and fans and pundits alike enjoyed the performance:
For the Bucks (28-23), it was a nice start to its week without the Greak Freak, with matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves remaining before the All-Star break.
For the Sixers (20-32), meanwhile, it was yet another disappointing performance in a season full of them. The optimism that followed the George signing over the summer has been completely extinguished by injuries, a lack of quality depth and the surprising struggles of George himself, who has never quite found his groove with the team.
The lone consolation for Sixers fans is that the real game of interest comes in a few hours, when the Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. The Sixers were more of an appetizer on Sunday, and about as satisfying as a veggie platter with no dip.
Haynes: Bucks' Giannis Out 2-3 Weeks with Calf Injury; Will Miss NBA All-Star Game
Feb 9, 2025
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks controls the ball against Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at the TD Garden on October 28, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss two to three weeks due to a calf strain, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Beyond the implications on Milwaukee's season, Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for the league's All-Star festivities at Chase Center in San Francisco.
BREAKING: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to be sidelined weeks with calf strain, forcing him to sit out of the All-Star game next weekend. #haynesbriefspic.twitter.com/gajc4KYyKQ
Through 41 games this season, Antetokounmpo has been off to a strong start with 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
Antetokounmpo is hoping to bounce back after his quest for a second career NBA championship last season was deterred by a calf injury he suffered late in the year. He had appeared in 73 games during the 2023-24 campaign, his most since 2018-19, and averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 61.1 percent from the field.
The calf injury cost Antetokounmpo the entire postseason, and the Bucks were eliminated in the first round in six games against the Indiana Pacers.
Milwaukee's aspirations for another NBA title are on somewhat shaky ground despite the combined presence of Antetokounmpo and star point guard Damian Lillard. The floor general took some time to get acclimated in his first year with the Bucks but looks to be back to his old self this season with averages of 25.0 points and 7.5 assists per contest. He's also shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc..
With Antetokounmpo sidelined, Milwaukee will rely heavily on Lillard as the primary option on offense. Veteran forwards Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince will likely see more action in the frontcourt until the two-time NBA MVP is ready to return.
Jalen Brunson, Lillard and All Contestants Revealed for 2025 NBA 3-Point Contest
Feb 7, 2025
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 10: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point shot during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard will get a shot at a third straight three-Point Contest title.
The Milwaukee Bucks star was one of eight contestants named to the 2025 edition of the All-Star Weekend competition Friday by the NBA.
The field is set for the STARRY 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star 2025:
▪️ Jalen Brunson ▪️ Cade Cunningham ▪️ Darius Garland ▪️ Tyler Herro ▪️ Buddy Hield ▪️ Cam Johnson ▪️ Damian Lillard ▪️ Norman Powell
Lillard will be joined by the New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham, Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland, Miami Heat's Tyler Herro, Golden State Warriors' Buddy Hield, Brooklyn Nets' Cam Johnson and Los Angeles Clippers' Norman Powell.
Lillard won his first 3-Point title by beating out Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in a three-contestant final round of the 2023 contest.
The following year, he became the first back-to-back winner since Jason Kapono in 2008 by beating out Trae Young and 2022 three-point champ Karl Anthony-Towns on a contest-winning final shot.
The 2024 All-Star event was a big weekend for Lillard, who put up 11 more three-pointers during the 2024 All-Star Game to earn All-Star MVP honors in the Eastern Conference win.
To defend his 3-Point title in 2024, Lillard will have to go up against some of the hottest shooters in the league next weekend in San Francisco.
Herro, who currently ranks third in the NBA in three-pointers made, is scoring on 39.3 percent of his career-high 9.7 three-point attempts per game through 48 contests this season.
Powell, who was not named to an All-Star roster despite averaging career-best 23.9 points per game so far this season, leads all 3-Point Contest competitors with a 43.1 percent success rate from deep.
Garland has meanwhile shot a career-best 42.9 percent from behind the arc so far this season, while Johnson is averaging a personal-best 19.3 points per game.
The NBA made the somewhat surprising decision to select Cunningham, who is shooting 35.4 percent from deep, over his Pistons teammate Malik Beasley, who trails only Anthony Edwards for the NBA lead in three-pointers made.
Hield, who won the event while representing the Sacramento Kings in 2020, is the only past winner to join Lillard in the competition. Brunson, meanwhile, heads into the contest looking for redemption after a first-round elimination from the 2024 event.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled for Feb. 14-16 at the Warriors' Chase Center in San Francisco. The 2025 3-Point Contest will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15.
