Damian Lillard's blood clot diagnosis raises concerns for his career and the Bucks, joining other affected players like Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Ingram, and Chris Bosh, who have faced similar health issues.
The Milwaukee Bucks faced a significant setback just before the playoffs, as star guard Damian Lillard was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf.
He is the third NBA player to encounter this issue this season, following the Pistons' Ausar Thompson, who missed games early in the campaign, and the Spurs' All-Star Victor Wembanyama, who was ruled out for the season due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder.
Fortunately, the Spurs believe Wembanyama's DVT is isolated to his shoulder, reducing the risk of further complications. They are optimistic about his full recovery for the 2025-26 season and have no long-term concerns.
In contrast, Lillard's situation remains uncertain as he is out indefinitely. Currently, he is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue to undergo regular testing.
So, what does this mean for Lillard, and how does it compare to other historical health issues in the league?
DVT is a serious condition where a clot forms in a major vein, typically in the lower extremities. Factors such as flying, dehydration, or high-intensity training can exacerbate DVT.
While many clotting conditions are treatable, they often require blood thinners and medications that can limit physical activity, such as playing in the NBA.
For example, Brandon Ingram faced a similar DVT issue in his right shoulder, which caused him to miss the final 19 games of the 2018-19 season while with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fortunately, he returned to full strength in the off-season and made his first All-Star appearance the following year.
The different story is with the former Miami Heat star Chris Bosh, though.
He faced recurring blood clot problems, including one that traveled to his lungs, ultimately leading to his retirement.
Bosh was diagnosed with blood clots in 2015 and underwent extensive medical evaluations, preventing him from returning to play due to health concerns.
"It was very tough," Bosh told BasketNews in 2024 summer. "It was the death of my career, to be honest."
"Any time dealing with loss and death and stuff like that, you go through grief. I had to do that for a few years," he admitted. "I got over it. I believe it made me stronger. It made me focus on being more of a father."
On a more positive note, the recent example, Christian Koloko, has successfully returned to the court after facing a blood clot issue that threatened his career during the 2023-24 season. He began practicing in late October with the LA Lakers and has played again.
