Granted, it's unclear if he will be cleared in time for any of the team's first-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers, a tough team in its own right that has become a fairly heated rival for these Bucks in recent years. The Bucks did win the season series 3-1, however, and finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak.

Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Damian Lillard has been cleared for full basketball activity, the team announced Thursday.

The Bucks open the series Saturday with Game 2 slated for Thursday in Indianapolis, before returning home for Games 3 and 4 in Milwaukee on April 25 and 27. Earlier this week, the Bucks said in a statement that Lillard has made "significant" improvement and continues to increase his on-court basketball activity.