DENVER (AP) 鈥� Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers expressed confidence that the Bucks could remain competitive but acknowledged it would take multiple players to pick up the slack while the seven-time all-NBA guard is out.
The Bucks announced Tuesday that Lillard has in his right calf and is taking blood-thinning medication. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
鈥淵ou hear the word blood clot鈥hat鈥檚 not a good word, not only just in sports, but life,鈥� Rivers said before the Bucks鈥� game Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Lillard missed a fourth straight game Wednesday, and the Bucks haven鈥檛 indicated when he might return.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful that he鈥檚 coming back,鈥� Rivers said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a blow to us, obviously. It鈥檚 more of a blow to Dame. That鈥檚 where the emotional support goes. Guys get to play today. Dame does not, so to me, the guy I try to support more is Dame. We鈥檙e just hopeful. It鈥檚 such a gray area. That鈥檚 where more of the support comes right now. Obviously if this lingers, that鈥檚 different. But today and right now, it鈥檚 all about Dame.鈥�
The Bucks also played Wednesday without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with a sprained left foot. But it鈥檚 the Lillard situation that has the bigger long-term implications because of its severity.
Lillard, 34, is the second high-profile player to be sidelined this season because of DVT.
of the San Antonio Spurs was diagnosed with it in his shoulder after he returned from the All-Star Game last month and was quickly ruled out for the season. He, like Lillard, is on blood-thinning medication, but doctors have assured the Spurs that there is no concern for Wembanyama鈥檚 long-term health.
鈥淚 was really proud of our medical team,鈥� Rivers said. 鈥淭hey did everything. I don鈥檛 know how many doctors we talked to. I don鈥檛 want to see another doctor for a long time or talk to another one. The due diligence was all there. It made Dame feel comfortable, which is what we were trying to achieve and the most important part of it.鈥�
Lillard entered Wednesday鈥檚 action ranked 10th in assists (7.1) and 11th in scoring (24.9). Rivers acknowledged the enormity of the task Milwaukee faces in replacing his production.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a committee,鈥� Rivers said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not going to be one guy. It鈥檚 not even going to be Ryan (Rollins) and just Scoot (Kevin Porter Jr.). It鈥檚 going to be a bunch of guys. You鈥檙e not going to replace what Dame does. We may be able to do different things. Defensively, we may do different things, offensively. This is part of it. Everyone goes through them. Obviously, nothing like this, but we鈥檒l figure it out. I鈥檓 very confident in our team.鈥�
Milwaukee entered Wednesday in a virtual tie with the Detroit Pistons for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, two games behind the Indiana Pacers. The top four teams in the conference earn home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
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The Associated Press
