NBA playoffs: Bucks star Damian Lillard promises an Achilles injury that will not shorten his career

Damian Lillard's determination is only two days after a painful torn Achilles tendon, which ended his season.

Lillard spoke to Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday and was there that the devastating injury will not shorten his outstanding NBA career.

“He said two things I love,” Rivers told reporters before the fifth game of the first round against Indiana Pacers. “The first, he just said” I can't believe that I am here. “Then the second” I'm not going out. “

“I can guarantee that he will not be, and I meant that about his determination.”

Lillard turns 35 on July 15 and stands in front of a long rehab from the Achilles injury to return to the top basketball form. A timeline was not officially set, but it would probably be a large part of the 2025-26 season and possibly miss everything.

In the first quarter of the 129-103 loss on Sunday, Lillard was injured in game 4 in just his third game after dealing with a blood clot in his right calf. He missed the last 14 games of the regular season and the first competition in this series against the Pacers.

A long rebound came in the middle of the first quarter and the Achilles gave out when Lillard taped the ball forward. He immediately reached for his lower leg and was finally helped from the square.

Apparently the severity of the injury would simply be received. But Lillard is already thinking about his return to sport.

“It's amazing,” said Rivers. “He is already talking about his return and is better and ready. We also had a long conversation about it today.”

As a nine-time all-star, Lillard scored an average of 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 58 games of the regular season during his second campaign. He spent his first eleven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Lillard has a career average of 25.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 900 competition with a regular season. His 2,804 3 pointers in fourth place in NBA history.