The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a major blow just before the start of the playoffs, as Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf.

Lillard reacted to the diagnosis, stating that his top priority right now is protecting his health, which requires him to step away from basketball—at least for the time being.

"It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control has come up," Lillard said, per NBA insider Chris Haynes. "Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priority is to protect my health and safety."

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"As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m grateful the Bucks acted quickly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive throughout this process. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career," he added.

The diagnosis is concerning for both Lillard and the team. We've already seen how a similar issue prematurely ended Victor Wembanyama's season this year, suggesting that Lillard’s season is likely in jeopardy as well.

This season, Lillard has averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 58 games for the Bucks, helping them contend for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The team currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 40-31 record.