Damian Lillard is officially back for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game against the Indiana Pacers tonight, marking his first appearance since March due to a resolved deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. The nine-time All-Star confirmed his availability after the morning shootaround, declaring, "I'm playing."
Lillard’s return comes at a critical juncture after the Bucks fell 117-9 in Game, where Giannis Antetokounmpo carried the offensive load with points while the supporting cast struggled. The guard’s scoring punch (2.9 PPG regular-season average) and playmaking (7.1 APG) could disrupt Indiana’s defensive schemes, though his conditioning after a month-long absence remains a storyline.
The Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, dominated the series opener but now face a reinvigorated Bucks roster. Head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged Lillard’s impact pre-game, stating, “We’re well aware of his excellence.” Tipoff is set for p.m. ET as Milwaukee aims to even the series.
