Bucks star Damian Lillard gets crushing injury news from NBA insider

Matthew Wadleigh

Bucks star Damian Lillard gets crushing injury news from NBA insider image

NBA Entertainment

The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to go down 3-1 in the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. But, the worst part was the non-contact injury that Damian Lillard suffered early in the game. 

After the injury, reports surfaced that there was a "fear" of a torn Achilles for the Bucks star. 

On Monday, the official diagnosis came in from ESPN's Shams Charania. 

"Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season."

So, the expected injury is now official. That means Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA campaign, and the veteran has a tough road to recovery in what is a devastating injury blow. 

Lillard also missed time recently with blood clots but was cleared for Game 2 of the playoffs, so this is another unfortunate turn of events for the Bucks point guard. 

The Bucks slim chances of coming back from a 3-1 deficit just got even more tricky. Moreover, questions are swirling about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been tossed around in trade rumblings as of late. 

All in all, everyone is hoping for a full recovery from Lillard in what has been a rough 2024-25 campaign for the former first-round draft pick. 

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Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.