Milwaukee Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday in Indianapolis. Lillard aggravated an Achilles tendon injury during the late stages of the fourth quarter in Friday's 121-118 overtime loss to the Pacers. Indiana holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.
A source revealed that Lillard's injury is a strained right Achilles tendon. The eight-time All-Star was spotted in a walking boot on his right foot on Saturday. Lillard had been dealing with discomfort in his Achilles for a few weeks, which he first noticed after the regular-season finale in Orlando. He took some time off from practice before the playoffs to recover, aiming to enter the series feeling fresh.
Lillard, 33, has been a key player for the Trail Blazers, averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in the three games of this series. His absence will be a significant blow to the team's playoff aspirations.
On the other hand, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since sustaining a left calf strain on April 9. His absence has been felt by the Bucks, who are looking to bounce back in the series without their star player.
The series will now shift back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday, where the Bucks will aim to even the series against the Pacers. Both teams will need to adjust their strategies and rotations in the absence of their star players to secure a crucial victory.
