Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks showed signs of progress on Wednesday as he returned to practice after dealing with a sore left adductor that had sidelined him earlier. Bucks' coach confirmed that Lillard participated in shooting drills and walkthroughs during the practice session.
Lillard had missed practice on Tuesday due to the adductor issue, which had been bothering him towards the end of the regular season. The team is hopeful that Lillard will be able to engage in full practice on Friday, with the first game of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers scheduled for Sunday in Milwaukee.
Despite the setback, Lillard had played in the Bucks' recent games, including a loss to the Orlando Magic where he struggled shooting from the field. The team is relying on Lillard's presence, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's availability for the upcoming series. Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, has been dealing with a left calf strain that has kept him out of the last three regular-season games and practice sessions this week.
In addition to Antetokounmpo's situation, reserve guard AJ Green has also been sidelined due to a sprained left ankle, causing him to miss the final two regular-season games. The Bucks are closely monitoring the status of both players as they prepare for the playoffs.
During the regular season, the Bucks struggled in games where Lillard was absent, posting a 1-8 record in the nine games he missed. The team is hoping for a full recovery for both Lillard and Antetokounmpo to strengthen their lineup for the challenging series ahead.
