The Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons are currently in a three-team battle for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the playoffs. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the Pacers currently own sole possession of the No. 4 seed and are two games ahead of the No. 5 seed Bucks.
As the end of the regular season approaches, the Pacers will aim to win as many games as possible and gain momentum heading into the postseason. Furthermore, with the Bucks and Pistons still within striking distance of their No. 4 seed, every game is important for them from here on out.
On Tuesday, a major report regarding the status of Bucks star Damian Lillard surfaced that will have big implications for the Pacers' fight for homecourt advantage.
Damian Lillard has a blood clot, will be out indefinitely
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Lillard has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf and will be out of action indefinitely. Additionally, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, Lillard is on blood-thinning medication that is stabilizing the blood clot. Even so, Charania doubled down on Haynes' report that Lillard will be out indefinitely.
Lillard was out for the Bucks' last three games, including their loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, due to calf soreness. In those games, the Bucks went 2-1. However, it is fair to assume that they would much rather have Lillard on the floor than on the shelf.
While the Bucks and Pacers do not meet up again for the rest of the regular season, Lillard's absence is still a big deal for both teams. The Bucks are already down Bobby Portis, who is in the midst of a 25-game suspension after taking a banned substance. Now that they will be without Lillard for the foreseeable future, the Bucks may be shorthanded for the remainder of the regular season.
In his second season in Milwaukee, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Additionally, the Oakland native is shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point line. When he is on the floor, Lillard is still one of the best guards in the NBA, and his absence will be devastating for the Bucks.
Hopefully for Lillard and the Bucks, he can make a full recovery and make his return sooner rather than later. Until then, his status will be worth following.