Damian Lillard’s status for the Milwaukee Bucks’ final game of the regular season remains uncertain. But while the team really needs the win to secure the no. 2 seed in the East, don’t expect Doc Rivers and Co. to prioritize that over their health.
Rivers himself said as much ahead of the crucial regular-season finale.
Damian Lillard’s Injury Status for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
Lillard was absent during their penultimate game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to left adductor soreness. With Giannis Antetokounmpo already ruled out for the remainder of the season and then Lillard getting sidelined, the Bucks were no match to OKC and suffered a brutal 125-107 loss.
Now heading to their final game of the season against the Orlando Magic, the Bucks need to win in order to secure the no. 2 seed in the East. If they lose, there’s a possibility that the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers surpass them in the standings, depending on the results of their respective games.
With that being said, the Bucks will really need Lillard to be present and at his best to have a shit at winning.
Lillard has already been listed as probable for the game against the Magic, though he is still dealing with the same injury. It looks like he’s on his way to rejoining the team, but nothing is certain until he’s officially upgraded to available and actually suits up.
That being said, if the Bucks feel he’s not healthy enough or he’s still being bothered by injuries if he plays, expect him to be sidelined or be used in limited capacity.
Doc Rivers Reveals Milwaukee Bucks’ Priority
Speaking to reporters after their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers emphasized that health will be their priority over getting the no. 2 seed.
Sure, it’ll be nice if they can win that spot and have homecourt advantage for much of the playoffs. But at the end of the day, Rivers and the rest of the team knows what’s more important at this point.
“Listen, we’d love to get the two seed–we have to win a game. So, that’s at play. But let’s just say Sunday, if Dame wasn’t right, we’re not gonna play him. Otherwise, something happens there and you’re in a lot of trouble. We want the two seed. There’s no doubt about it. But we want to be healthy, too,” Rivers said, via The Athletic.
While seeing the Bucks drop to the no. 3 or 4 seed would be disappointing, Rivers certainly has the right mentality here. At the end of the day, health is more important since it gives them a fighting chance come the playoffs.
Would the Bucks rather have Lillard in a regular season game that’s only for seeding and risk losing him for the playoffs? Or would they want him healthy and at his best in the postseason? Sure enough, the answer is obvious.
Of course hopes are high that Lillard will be 100 percent healthy on Sunday. But if not, Rivers will not hesitate sitting him out.
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