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INDIANAPOLIS — Bucks All-Star point guard Damian Lillard has now been formally ruled out of Saturday's Game 1 of the first-round series between the Bucks and Pacers, and Indiana guard Ben Sheppard is listed as probable according to the NBA's first official injury report for the series.
Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis — the formation of blood clots in the veins — in March but the Bucks reported Thursday that Lillard has been cleared of blood clots, is off of blood thinners and has been cleared for basketball activities in a ramp-up to a return but he was not expected to be available for the start of the series. The seven-time All-NBA selection and nine-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game this year.
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Sheppard averaged 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season for the Pacers as a trusted reserve wing. He missed the season's last four games with a left great toe sprain and he struggled down the stretch. In his past 10 games, he averaged just 2.9 points per game and shot 30.3% from the floor and 23.1% from 3-point range. He appeared in all 17 of the Pacers' playoff games as a rookie last season, averaging 19.7 minutes per game and starting two games in the Eastern Conference finals after All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton strained his left hamstring, but he may not have as large of a role in this year's postseason.
Bucks guard Tyler Smith (left ankle sprain) and Pacers center Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles tendon) have also been ruled out. Smith, a rookie who spent last season with G League Ignite, averaged 2.9 points per game this season in 23 NBA appearances while also spending time with the G League's Wisconsin Herd. He scored a season high 20 points against the Pistons in the regular season finale with the Bucks resting their starters.
Jackson has been out since suffering his Achilles tendon tear on Nov. 1 and is not expected to return at any point in the postseason. He was seen at the Pacers' practice facility Friday doing rehabilitation work.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs Bucks playoffs Hame 1 injury report: Damian Lillard out
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Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis — the formation of blood clots in the veins — in March but the Bucks reported Thursday that Lillard has been cleared of blood clots, is off of blood thinners and has been cleared for basketball activities in a ramp-up to a return but he was not expected to be available for the start of the series. The seven-time All-NBA selection and nine-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game this year.
Pacers vs. Bucks: 5 questions that could determine first round series
'He lives for big moments.' Bennedict Mathurin ready for first taste of playoffs
Sheppard averaged 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season for the Pacers as a trusted reserve wing. He missed the season's last four games with a left great toe sprain and he struggled down the stretch. In his past 10 games, he averaged just 2.9 points per game and shot 30.3% from the floor and 23.1% from 3-point range. He appeared in all 17 of the Pacers' playoff games as a rookie last season, averaging 19.7 minutes per game and starting two games in the Eastern Conference finals after All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton strained his left hamstring, but he may not have as large of a role in this year's postseason.
Bucks guard Tyler Smith (left ankle sprain) and Pacers center Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles tendon) have also been ruled out. Smith, a rookie who spent last season with G League Ignite, averaged 2.9 points per game this season in 23 NBA appearances while also spending time with the G League's Wisconsin Herd. He scored a season high 20 points against the Pistons in the regular season finale with the Bucks resting their starters.
Jackson has been out since suffering his Achilles tendon tear on Nov. 1 and is not expected to return at any point in the postseason. He was seen at the Pacers' practice facility Friday doing rehabilitation work.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs Bucks playoffs Hame 1 injury report: Damian Lillard out
Continue reading...
