Is Damian Lillard Playing Tonight Vs Wizards? 8x All-Star’s Status After Cuts & Bruises In New Orleans

Published 04/02/2024, 9:03 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been one of the dominating performers during the ongoing NBA season. Thanks to the effort put forward by him and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks currently hold a W/L record of 47-27 to occupy the 2 seed on the Eastern Conference points table. But owing to the wavering graph over the recent games, the team has the Cavaliers trailing threateningly behind; a situation calling for the golden duo as they take on the Washington Wizards (14-61). Unfortunately, though, Giannis will have to go about the game without his partner by his side.

A few hours ahead of the game, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski took to his official X account to share an update from the Bucks’ recent Injury Report. The same brought along unfortunate news as it read, Damian Lillard “has been ruled OUT for tomorrow’s #Bucks game with a right groin strain.” Owczarksi further highlighted the player’s claim that he was “kneed in the calf and also had stitches in his lip leaving New Orleans last Thursday.”

Damian Lillard has been ruled OUT for tomorrow's #Bucks game with a right groin strain.
He said he was kneed in the calf and also had stitches in his lip leaving New Orleans last Thursday.
Lillard has not dealt with this specific issue at any other point this season.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) April 1, 2024

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During the Bucks’ recent loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, the 33-year-old player was reportedly seen limping to the locker room with just 7 minutes and 3 seconds left in the third quarter. Speculation had it that the sudden exit was a result of Lillard developing an injury in his leg. However, head coach Doc Rivers had come out to state that the player had exited to get some stitches on his lip. It was only after the game that Lillard revealed that he had been kneed in the calf. While the same wasn’t an issue back then, the sudden groin injury will now cause a problem in reconfiguring the Bucks starting lineup.

The Wizards clash will mark the second consecutive game that the point guard will not be a part of. He had earlier missed the faceoff against the Atlanta Hawks due to “personal reasons”. Small forward Khris Middleton had assisted Giannis during that game by adding 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists to the overall score. Given that Middelton has been placed in the ‘probable’ category of the Injury Report along with Giannis, the two will be expected to once again take on the reins against Jordan Poole and co. The Bucks will be entering the game with an advantage, as two of the Wizards’ highest scorers, Kyle Kuzma and Landry Shamet, have been ruled out. The leading assists scorer, Tyus Jones, has also been awarded the same fate.

Damian Lillard’s absence to be felt against the Wizards

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Damian Lillard’s absence during the upcoming clash will be a shame considering the player has been such an effective scorer when going up against them.

During his last 10 matchups against the Washington Wizards, the 8x NBA All-Star accumulated an average score of 31.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Only four of those matchups had the player going below 30 points. Lillard’s shooting ability also continued to be on par with his usual average. The player possessed an average field goal percentage of 42.9% and a three-pointer percentage of 34.3%. Lillard excelled when it came to his field throw percentage, which stands at an impressive high of 91.2%.

While the star player remains sidelined, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career average of 24.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists against the Wizards might carry hope nonetheless. Do you think that Damian Lillard’s absence will prove harmful to the Milwaukee Bucks? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Written by:

Ashmit is an NBA Content Analyst at EssentiallySports. Having started as a writer, he specializes in writing captivating stories that include the elements of in-depth coverage of teams, players and more. Due to his knowledge of the technicalities of the sport, Ashmit writes perspective pieces that provide well-researched analysis.

Edited by:

Shivatmika Manvi

Is Damian Lillard Playing Tonight Vs Wizards? 8x All-Star’s Status After Cuts & Bruises In New Orleans

Damian Lillard’s absence to be felt against the Wizards

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