Bucks' Lillard Listed as Doubtful for Game 2 Amid Health Concerns

Damian Lillard, a seven-time All-NBA guard who has missed the last month of play, is classified as doubtful for Tuesday's Game 2 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

The Bucks had already said on Thursday that Lillard, who has been battling with deep vein thrombosis in his right leg, was off blood-thinning medication and cleared to play basketball. Following their 9 of 37 3-point shooting performance in their 117-98 Game 1 defeat to Indiana, the Bucks may need Lillard.

Lillard's condition was upgraded to doubtful on Monday, following a conversation with the media by coach Doc Rivers. Although he was unsure if Lillard would play on Tuesday, Rivers pointed out that the 34-year-old has been improving.

The Bucks utilized their two-day break between Games 1 and 2 to practice in Milwaukee before traveling back to Indianapolis for Tuesday's matchup.

March 18 was the last time Lillard participated in a game. The Bucks revealed a week later that he had deep vein thrombosis, which is an abnormal clot in an artery where the blood clots and prevents the blood from flowing back to the heart.

While taking blood thinners, Lillard was limited to shooting free throws and other basketball-related activities. However, he said that doctors ultimately allowed him to perform other workouts, including lifting weights. Even when the doctors cleared him, Lillard would need time to prepare for the playoffs because he hadn't played much basketball in the previous month.

Lillard participated in all three of the Bucks' regular-season games against the Pacers, shooting 35.5% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range while averaging 18.3 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds.

During the regular season, Lillard played in 58 games and finished 10th in the league in terms of assists (7.1) and scoring (24.9), earning a spot in his seventh All-Star Game.

Even though he was benched on Saturday, Lillard was given a technical foul late in the game for arguing with Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana during a stoppage.

Two-time All-Star Haliburton anticipates playing Lillard on the court at some point during this series.