Damian Lillard aggravates Achilles injury in Bucks’ Game 3 loss

INDIANAPOLIS — Accidents are starting to pile up for the Milwaukee Bucks, presenting them with a brand new hurdle as they attempt to rally from a 2-1 deficit of their first-round collection in opposition to the Indiana Pacers.

Milwaukee has already been taking part in with out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a calf pressure. Khris Middleton was listed as questionable coming into Friday’s Sport 3 earlier than scoring 42 factors in 41 minutes. And close to the tip of the fourth quarter, Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles harm that he stated hindered him throughout additional time.

“We’re simply taking lots of hits proper now so far as injury-wise,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated after his workforce’s 121-118 loss in additional time.

Lillard completed with 28 factors on 6-of-20 capturing in 45 minutes, however he didn’t take a shot and went scoreless in additional time. He instructed Rivers he needed to remain on the ground to function a decoy for Middleton, who hit tying 3-pointers with 2 seconds remaining within the fourth quarter and once more with 8 seconds left in additional time.

“I simply needed to be on the ground in case alternative got here up or nonetheless I might assist,” stated Lillard, who revealed that one in every of his Achilles had been sore following the Bucks’ regular-season finale in Orlando. “We’re gonna get again and simply should get forward of it as a result of that is not one thing that you simply need to play with. It is a kind of spots in your physique the place you actually cannot, you may’t do nothing about it. If you cannot transfer you may’t transfer. We now have a few days to start out and attempt to get forward of it. Get it feeling higher and prepare for Sunday.”

Sport 4 is Sunday night time in Indianapolis.

The Bucks have been uncertain about Middleton’s standing main into the sport after he twisted his proper ankle in Sport 2 on Tuesday. As soon as Middleton went by way of his pregame routine and felt like he might push off and alter instructions, he felt ok to play.

Within the first quarter, Lillard gave the Bucks a scare. Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam landed on Lillard’s heel throughout a layup try, which Lillard stated precipitated him to twist his left knee. He was down for a number of moments on the ground earlier than he went to the locker room and finally returned to the sport.

“Once I went on the market, I knew it was gonna be a bit uncomfortable however I did not really feel like I used to be placing myself in peril,” Lillard stated.

The Bucks rallied from a 19-point deficit within the first half to take a fourth-quarter lead on back-to-back 3-pointers from Lillard. However the Pacers rallied in additional time to win on a basket by Tyrese Haliburton.

“We simply gotta attempt to get the subsequent one,” Lillard stated. “When you do this, then it turns into a brand new collection once more, after which after that it continues to alter each sport. We simply gotta flip the web page and deal with getting one earlier than we get out of right here.”

Although they’re trailing within the collection, the Bucks should not going to hurry Antetokounmpo again whereas he recovers from a left calf pressure that stored him out of the ultimate three regular-season contests and the beginning of this collection.

Rivers stated Friday that Antetokounmpo would solely return to apply when he is wholesome, and the Bucks’ outcomes wouldn’t affect his standing.

“We’re not going to hurry anyone again,” Rivers stated. “It is too harmful to try this.”