The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing to finish up their season series with the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Milwaukee lost its previous game 111-105 against the Brooklyn Nets, dropping them to 16-13 on the season. The Bucks played that game without the services of All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who were both out with a non-COVID illness.
It was actually the third consecutive game that Milwaukee played without their two superstars, and the fourth straight game they played without Lillard. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led the team in the interim to two wins in three games without Giannis and Dame, a truly impressive feat.
As of this writing, there is no word yet on whether or not the Greek Freak will be healthy enough to play on Saturday night. However, there is good news regarding Lillard on that front.
Damian Lillard Will Return for the Milwaukee Bucks vs the Chicago Bulls
This morning, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Lillard will make his return to the Bucks following his four-game absence. He has not suited up for Milwaukee since they won the NBA Cup Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder:
Sources: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard (calf, illness) will make his return tonight against the Chicago Bulls after sitting out the previous four contests. pic.twitter.com/QA2bwbcTK8
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 28, 2024
Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, is having a stellar season in his second season with the Bucks. He is currently averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 45/37/92 from the floor.
As of this date, Dame Time is one of just three players who currently rank in the NBA’s top-10 in both points per game and assists per game. The other two are Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
The Bucks’ point guard currently ranks eighth in scoring and 10th in assists.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Damian Lillard Reveals Just How Sick He Was
In an interview with reporters following Milwaukee’s shootaround on Saturday, Lillard was asked, “Sometimes when guys miss a game with an illness, people just think, ‘Oh, he’s just taking the night off.’ I’m guessing that wasn’t the case?”
Lillard’s response was clear.
“I f—ing wish it was that. I’ll tell you that. I was just telling them earlier. Like, I’ve never been that sick before in my entire life. I wasn’t throwing up, nothing. I just didn’t eat for two days. I didn’t eat at all. I didn’t get up, nothing. I was down. It was bad.
“Couple days ago, I tried to work out [the night before the Brooklyn game] because I wanted to play against Brooklyn, but I mean, the whole time I was working out, it just kept making me cough, coughing up s—. I got through the workout, but I couldn’t breathe good.
“So the last couple days, that’s all I’ve been doing. Just trying to work that stuff out and it’s still been like having me super winded, but I mean, I guess at some point, you just gotta get out there and burn it out. So, that’s what my plan is, at least.”
As one can see from Lillard’s explanation, he is not quite over his illness yet. This could affect his production against Chicago, but he later explained that this game is about him getting his conditioning back.
He also revealed that he has lost a little bit of weight, which is to be expected if one does not eat for two days.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- “He’s Going to Keep Moving Up that List;” Bucks Star Brook Lopez Gets Praise from Teammates After Amazing Block Achievement
- “We Just Lost the F—ing Game!” Bucks’ Bobby Portis Goes on NSFW Rant After 111-105 Loss to Nets
- “That’s Big;” Milwaukee Bucks Make Crucial Announcement Prior to Bulls Game
- Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers Issues Strong Declaration on Damian Lillard’s Injury
- Milwaukee Bucks Fans Explode After Brook Lopez Joins Exclusive Club
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
