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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – In a devastating turn of events, it has been confirmed that Damian Lillard has suffered a torn Achilles during the first quarter of Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025. This significant injury marks the end of his season and raises numerous questions about both his immediate and long-term prospects.
What Lies Ahead for Dame?
At nearly 35 years old, Lillard carries substantial mileage from his extensive NBA career, having participated in 900 regular-season games, often bearing a heavy scoring load. Although it is possible for him to return to a semblance of his former self, the likelihood appears bleak. Achilles injuries are particularly daunting for basketball players, with older athletes facing even greater challenges during recovery.
Upon his return, it’s expected that Lillard may depend more heavily on his perimeter shooting and adopt a more conservative playing style to mitigate risks. While players like Dominique Wilkins and Kevin Durant have successfully returned post-injury and maintained their performance levels, smaller guards have not fared as well historically. Klay Thompson offers a contrasting example; although he returned to win a championship, his overall explosiveness—especially on defense—has noticeably diminished, partly due to his own ACL tear, complicating his recovery narrative.
Thus, the ultimate answer to Lillard’s future remains uncertain.
The Road to Recovery
The timeline for recovery from an Achilles injury can vary, but rough estimates suggest a minimum of one year away from competitive play. This projection indicates that Lillard is likely to miss the entirety of the upcoming season, meaning his return to the court might not occur until he is 36 years old.
During this period, several dynamics could shift within the Milwaukee Bucks organization, though that discussion might be better suited for another day. The financial implications are significant, with over $54 million in salary tied up on the bench, an unwelcome burden as his player option year approaches at $58.4 million.
The upcoming year will pose challenges for both Lillard and the Bucks. The team will need to adjust to playing without him, while Lillard will face the reality of an extended absence from the game, a situation unprecedented in his career. For a franchise like Milwaukee, already operating with narrow margins, losing their star player could have far-reaching effects, especially in how they evaluate strategic decisions surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.
Ultimately, the focus remains firmly on Lillard’s recovery and its implications for the franchise, as his presence is critical to the Bucks’ aspirations moving forward.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are sourced from NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. Salary data can be found on Spotrac.
Source
www.forbes.com