Will Damian Lillard play against the Cavaliers tonight? The Bucks star’s injury report and latest update on his status (December 20, 2024) | NBA News
Damian Lillard’s status for tonight’s match between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers is not going to make the Bucks fans happy. The Milwaukee Bucks had a profitable trip to Las Vegas, both on and off the court. The Bucks had a dominating 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder which made them the Emirates NBA Cup champions. This win made them only the second team to claim the title, following LeBron James and the Lakers. Each Bucks player walked away $500,000 richer thanks to the win. However, there wasn’t much time to bask in the glory of their success. The Bucks had to make a quick turnaround, heading back to Milwaukee before preparing for an away clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tonight, the Bucks’ match with the Cavaliers will come with a major setback. Superstar guard Damian Lillard will be sidelined due to a calf strain. While he’s expected to travel with the team, he’ll be unable to take the court. This is a significant blow to Milwaukee’s chances, as Cleveland currently boasts the best record in the league. “The veteran guard, who had a good outing in the NBA Cup final against OKC, is dealing with a calf strain. He’ll travel with the team to Cleveland but will not play,” according to the NBA’s official injury report.
Lillard’s absence is a concern for the Bucks, but they’ve shown they can manage without him. In the three games he’s missed this season, Milwaukee has posted a 2-1 record. However, those wins came against the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. These two teams are currently not regarded as top-tier contenders.
Bucks in a game against the Celtics (Image via Imagn)
The timing of Lillard’s injury is unfortunate, as he’s been in excellent form since recovering from a concussion that caused him to miss three games in mid-November. In his last 12 appearances, Lillard averaged 25.5 points on 45.5% shooting, alongside 8.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. The Bucks’ fortunes shifted significantly during that stretch, with the team going 10-2 and climbing to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
With Lillard out, all eyes will be on Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP has been nothing short of dominant lately, and his leadership has been a key factor that led the Milwaukee Bucks to their championship victory. After starting the season 2-8, there were rumors about potential roster changes and even the possibility of trading Antetokounmpo. But the Greek Freak stayed the course and took matters into his own hands. Over his last 14 games, he’s averaged an eye-popping 33.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2 blocks per game. His stellar play has propelled the Bucks to an 11-3 record during that period.
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Although playing without Damian Lillard is far from ideal, the Bucks believe they have what it takes to pull off an upset. Fans will be watching closely to see if Milwaukee’s momentum can continue against a strong Cavaliers squad.
