‘Not sports, life’ – Doc Rivers delivers heartwarming message of support after Damian Lillard’s worrying injury status confirmed
Doc Rivers has offered his full support to the sidelined Damian Lillard It comes after The Bucks announced on Tuesday that Lillard has deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is taking blood-thinning medication. Rivers has offered some heartful words to his star playerGetty Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel and after Victor Wembanyama he is the second high-profile name to be sidelined with the condition in the NBA this season. “You hear the word blood clot … that’s not a good word, not only just in sports, but life,” Rivers told reporters before the Nikola Jokic inspired defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The Bucks have not confirmed when Lillard will return, the 34-year-old has missed four straight games so far. “We’re hopeful that he’s coming back,” Rivers said. “It’s a blow to us, obviously. It’s more of a blow to Dame. That’s where the emotional support goes. Guys get to play today. Dame does not, so to me, the guy I try to support more is Dame. “We’re just hopeful. It’s such a gray area. That’s where more of the support comes right now. Obviously if this lingers, that’s different. But today and right now, it’s all about Dame.” Lillard’s diagnosis is a severe one but Rivers was quick to praise his medical staff, who have made done enough to make his point guard feel comfortable. “I was really proud of our medical team,” Rivers said. “They did everything. I don’t know how many doctors we talked to. I don’t want to see another doctor for a long time or talk to another one. “The due diligence was all there. It made Dame feel comfortable, which is what we were trying to achieve and the most important part of it.” Lillard is enjoying a strong campaign for the BucksGetty One of Rivers’ major tasks will be figuring how to replace the enormous hole that Lillard leaves. The seven-time all-star is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 assists and ranks 10th in the league for assists and 11th for scoring. The Bucks are also missing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, although he won’t be on the sidelines for as long as Lillard. “It’s going to be a committee. It’s not going to be one guy. It’s not even going to be Ryan and just Scoot,” Rivers said on how they will fill the gap Lillard leaves “It’s going to be a bunch of guys. You’re not going to replace what Dame does. We may be able to do different things. Defensively, we may do different things, offensively. “This is part of it. Everyone goes through them. Obviously, nothing like this, but we’ll figure it out. I’m very confident in our team.” NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals The Bucks lost 127-117 on Wednesday night to the Nuggets and now sit sixth in the Eastern Conference. They are currently a half-game behind the Detroit Pistons and two games behind the Indiana Pacers. Top four is vital in the league standings as it means you get home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
Doc Rivers has offered his full support to the sidelined Damian Lillard
It comes after The Bucks announced on Tuesday that Lillard has deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is taking blood-thinning medication.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel and after Victor Wembanyama he is the second high-profile name to be sidelined with the condition in the NBA this season.
“You hear the word blood clot … that’s not a good word, not only just in sports, but life,” Rivers told reporters before the Nikola Jokic inspired defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
The Bucks have not confirmed when Lillard will return, the 34-year-old has missed four straight games so far.
“We’re hopeful that he’s coming back,” Rivers said.
“It’s a blow to us, obviously. It’s more of a blow to Dame. That’s where the emotional support goes. Guys get to play today. Dame does not, so to me, the guy I try to support more is Dame.
“We’re just hopeful. It’s such a gray area. That’s where more of the support comes right now. Obviously if this lingers, that’s different. But today and right now, it’s all about Dame.”
Lillard’s diagnosis is a severe one but Rivers was quick to praise his medical staff, who have made done enough to make his point guard feel comfortable.
“I was really proud of our medical team,” Rivers said.
“They did everything. I don’t know how many doctors we talked to. I don’t want to see another doctor for a long time or talk to another one.
“The due diligence was all there. It made Dame feel comfortable, which is what we were trying to achieve and the most important part of it.”
One of Rivers’ major tasks will be figuring how to replace the enormous hole that Lillard leaves.
The seven-time all-star is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 assists and ranks 10th in the league for assists and 11th for scoring.
The Bucks are also missing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, although he won’t be on the sidelines for as long as Lillard.
“It’s going to be a committee. It’s not going to be one guy. It’s not even going to be Ryan and just Scoot,” Rivers said on how they will fill the gap Lillard leaves
“It’s going to be a bunch of guys. You’re not going to replace what Dame does. We may be able to do different things. Defensively, we may do different things, offensively.
“This is part of it. Everyone goes through them. Obviously, nothing like this, but we’ll figure it out. I’m very confident in our team.”
NBA's Greatest
Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama
Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone
10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus
Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals
The Bucks lost 127-117 on Wednesday night to the Nuggets and now sit sixth in the Eastern Conference.
They are currently a half-game behind the Detroit Pistons and two games behind the Indiana Pacers.
Top four is vital in the league standings as it means you get home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
