Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard isn’t sure exactly when he will be playing again. He’s just grateful that moment will come sooner than anyone could have reasonably expected.

Ausar Thompson, the Detroit Pistons’ high-flying 22-year-old wing, was diagnosed with a blood clot in March 2024 and did not return to the court until November. Chris Bosh, who played with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat and retired in 2019, had a pulmonary embolism before eventually being diagnosed with DVT.

Lillard has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Bucks' upcoming first-round clash with the Indiana Pacers, but he could return to the floor before the series comes to a close. His potential presence on the court could help Milwaukee win its first playoff series since 2022.