How long is Damian Lillard out? Blood clot recovery timeline, return date, latest updates for Bucks star

The Bucks closed out their 2024-25 regular season without the aid of one of their stars, Damian Lillard.

Still, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company made the postseason, securing the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Initially, there was a very real possibility that Lillard wouldn't return to the floor this season. But now, there's a chance he could be back in the NBA Playoffs.

Latest reports indicate Lillard will be ramping up for a potential return from his deep vein thrombosis after missing a month of the season.

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Here's the latest on Lillard as the Bucks begin their 2025 playoff run.

What is Damian Lillard's injury?

Lillard has been out since March 18 due to deep vein thrombosis, an abnormal clot within a vessel where the congealing of blood blocks the flow on the way back to the heart, in his right calf. 

The Bucks announced in March that Lillard would be going on blood-thinning medication to help stabilize the clot and continue regular testing, and he'd be out for an indefinite period. However, head coach Doc Rivers and the rest of the organization would not rule Lillard out for the entire 2024-25 season.

Lillard became the second NBA star diagnosed with DVT, as the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama saw his season in January end due to the condition.

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How long is Damian Lillard out?

Lillard is inching closer to a return. He has been upgraded to questionable for Game 2 on Tuesday, April 22.

Ahead of Game 2 of Milwaukee's first-round series with Indiana, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Lillard's availability had not been determined but added that, "He's close."

Asked about Damian Lillard’s availability for Game 2, Doc Rivers said he didn’t know if Lillard would be available, but said he looks good.

Rivers said Lillard practiced today and he’s gone through live scrimmages the last two days.

“He’s close. He looks great to me.” - Rivers

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 21, 2025

Despite originally being ruled out for an indefinite period, Lillard will now "continue to increase his on-court basketball activity" with the possibility of a playoff return, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Charania reported Apr. 17 that Lillard had been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis, with doctors telling Bucks officials that Lillard's recovery came at a speed that's "never been seen before." Thanks to early treatment and specialists working with Lillard before his diagnosis, the guard can start basketball activities once again.

"This could have been career threatening," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said, per ESPN. "Or it was. The fact there's a very good chance he's going to play in the playoffs for us, that's a godsend."

MORE: The Sporting News' 2025 NBA Playoff predictions

Charania added that Lillard will not play in Milwaukee's first playoff game, a Round 1 road matchup against the Pacers. There is no exact timetable on Lillard's return, but he is trending in the right direction.

"We're thrilled for Dame," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement, per ESPN. "Our priority has always been Dame's health. We're grateful to our medical team for diagnosing and treating his DVT at an early stage, and for the world-renown hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic. Every step of Dame's recovery has been at the direction of world-class medical professionals and their specific and strict protocols that have allowed for Dame's safe and healthy return to play."

MORE: The Sporting News' 2024-25 All-NBA teams

Bucks playoffs schedule

Below is a look at Milwaukee's first-round schedule against the Pacers. If the Bucks advance to the second round, they'd face either Cleveland or Miami, the Eastern Conference's eighth seed.

*If necessary