Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin has confirmed that Damian Lillard will make a return to the court for Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics. Lillard’s absence from the previous game, where the Bucks suffered a 132-116 loss to the Utah Jazz, marked only his third missed game of the season. The team had cited personal reasons for his non-participation in that match.
Providing an update on Lillard’s status, Coach Griffin conveyed positive news on Wednesday, stating, “Dame was back, in good spirits and practiced today. He’ll be available.” This announcement comes as a relief for the Bucks, who are currently grappling with a challenging phase, having lost four out of their last five games.
Lillard’s brief hiatus was not the first instance of him sitting out this season; he also missed two games in November due to a sore right calf. Despite these setbacks, the seven-time All-NBA guard has been a significant contributor to the Bucks’ efforts, maintaining an impressive stat line with an average of 25.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game in his inaugural season with the team. Milwaukee acquired Lillard in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers in September, marking a notable roster change.
The upcoming matchup against the Boston Celtics holds additional significance for the Bucks, as it marks Jrue Holiday’s first game back in Milwaukee since being included in the Damian Lillard trade. Following the trade, Holiday was sent to the Celtics a few days later. Holiday, who played three seasons with the Bucks, was a key part of the team’s championship run in the 2020-21 season.
As the Bucks aim to bounce back from recent losses and improve their standing in the league, the return of Damian Lillard and the reunion with Jrue Holiday bring both optimism and anticipation for fans and the team alike. Thursday’s game against the NBA-leading Celtics promises to be a compelling and closely watched contest, with key players poised to make an impact on the court.
Leave a Reply