Damian Lillard suffers lower leg injury as Bucks face elimination against Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks fear serious Achilles injury for Damian Lillard after early exit in Game 4 loss to Indiana Pacers.

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is helped off the court after suffering a noncontact lower-leg injury during the first quarter of Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Milwaukee Bucks’ postseason hopes took a devastating hit on Sunday night when guard Damian Lillard suffered a noncontact lower leg injury during the first quarter of a 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum.

Lillard, 34, stumbled while chasing an offensive rebound midway through the opening period and immediately clutched the back of his left ankle. Unable to put any weight on the injured leg, the nine-time all-star needed assistance to leave the court. Moments before halftime, the Bucks officially ruled Lillard out for the remainder of the game with a “left lower-leg injury.” Coach Doc Rivers confirmed afterward that Lillard would undergo additional testing on Monday.

Multiple sources indicated Sunday night that the Bucks fear Damian Lillard may have suffered a devastating Achilles injury, a diagnosis that could have enormous short- and long-term consequences for Milwaukee’s future.

“Just being honest, it’s not very promising,” Rivers said during an emotional postgame news conference.

Impact of potential Achilles injury for Lillard and Bucks

If Damian Lillard’s injury is confirmed as an Achilles tear, the fallout for the Bucks could be severe. Already trailing 3-1 in their first-round series against the Pacers, Milwaukee would face not only immediate elimination threats but also a bleak outlook for the 2025-26 campaign. Given Lillard’s age and injury timing, a full-year absence would not be unexpected, following precedents set by Kobe Bryant in 2013 and Kevin Durant in 2019.

Lillard’s return to action had already been complicated after missing the end of the regular season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. In this series, he had struggled to regain form, scoring just 14 points in Game 2 and seven points in Game 3 before leaving Game 4 with zero points and two assists in just six minutes on the floor.

Emotional aftermath inside the Bucks locker room

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, captured the emotional toll Lillard’s injury had on the team.

“You see your teammate being down, your first thought is, get up, get up, get up,” Antetokounmpo said. “But he couldn't. When you see someone like Dame not able to walk on his own, you know it’s serious. You just hope for the best."

Coach Rivers echoed the sentiment, describing how the locker room deflated after Lillard’s injury.

“I’ve seen injuries deflate teams, but tonight that one hurt," Rivers admitted. "My job now is to get these guys upright again."

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and star guard Tyrese Haliburton also expressed sympathy, calling Lillard’s injury "tragic" and offering prayers for his recovery.

Bucks’ struggles and playoff pressure mount

The Bucks' hopes of advancing deep into the playoffs already appeared fragile entering the postseason. Despite strong seasons from Antetokounmpo and Lillard, Milwaukee finished only fifth in the Eastern Conference and had to navigate instability following a midseason coaching change. Adrian Griffin, hired after the dismissal of longtime coach Mike Budenholzer, was replaced by Rivers after just 43 games.

Moreover, the Bucks' roster, once one of the NBA’s most formidable, had been weakened by the departure of Khris Middleton at the trade deadline. Injuries have haunted Milwaukee’s playoff runs in recent years—Antetokounmpo battled a back injury in the 2023 playoffs, while Middleton was hobbled during the 2022 postseason. Now, with Damian Lillard suffering a lower leg injury that could sideline him long-term, history appears to be repeating itself.

“We've got to keep moving forward,” Antetokounmpo insisted, refusing to chalk up the team’s struggles to bad luck.

Potential consequences for Bucks’ future and Antetokounmpo's future

Beyond this series, a serious injury to Damian Lillard could have major ramifications for the Bucks' long-term trajectory. Antetokounmpo, 30, remains under contract through the 2027-28 season but holds a player option in the final year. While he has consistently pledged loyalty to Milwaukee, speculation about his future has intensified amid the Bucks' recent postseason disappointments.

The organization sought to stabilize leadership last week by signing general manager Jon Horst to a contract extension. However, without Lillard alongside Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee’s chances of returning to championship contention could be slim, especially considering the franchise’s aging core.

Despite the mounting adversity, Bucks players are trying to stay optimistic.

“Seeing his work getting back from his first injury and then this happens, it's tough," guard Kevin Porter Jr. said. “But if any team can come back from a 3-1 deficit, it’s this team. We’re all believing that this is definitely far from over.”

Pacers look to finish series at home

With the Pacers now leading 3-1, Indiana can clinch the series with a victory in Game 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday. Myles Turner led the way in Game 4 with 23 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 20 points as eight Pacers scored in double figures.

The Bucks will have to regroup quickly—physically and emotionally—if they hope to extend their season and keep their championship hopes alive. But without Damian Lillard, the mountain ahead looks steeper than ever.