Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed concern over teammate Damian Lillard’s injury following the Bucks’ 129-103 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Lillard exited early in the first quarter with what appeared to be a non-contact lower left leg injury.
The Bucks were already in a tight game when Lillard went down, and Giannis couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency. “You see him down, and the first thought is, ‘Come on, get up,’” Giannis said, recalling the moment. “When you see him limping and unable to walk on his own, you kind of know it’s serious.”
Preliminary reports suggest that Lillard might be dealing with an Achilles tendon issue, but the Bucks have yet to confirm the full extent of the injury. While Giannis expressed hope for the best outcome for his teammate, he acknowledged the difficulty of seeing a player of Lillard’s caliber in distress.
Lillard had been vital for the Bucks’ postseason hopes, and his absence left a significant void. Without their leader, the team struggled to maintain offensive flow, and Indiana capitalized immediately after Lillard’s departure, going on a 10-3 run to expand their lead.
Giannis, who finished the game with 28 points and 15 rebounds, remained resolute despite the setback. “We have to keep moving forward,” he stated. “The next guy has to step up.”
Lillard had been playing through injuries earlier in the series, and Giannis lauded his commitment. “I have so much respect for him. The way he’s fought through injuries this year, his leadership, and his willingness to play through pain speaks volumes,” Giannis continued.
The Bucks now face a tough road ahead with the series at 3-1 in favor of the Pacers. Giannis noted that the team must remain focused on their task, regardless of Lillard’s injury. “We know what we have to do. We’ve played games without Dame before, and we’ve been successful,” he said.
The Bucks will need to dig deep as they head to Indiana for Game 5 on Tuesday, with their postseason life hanging in the balance. Giannis will be counted on to lead his team through this challenging moment, but without Lillard, the stakes have never been higher.
