LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard will miss the remainder of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon during his team’s playoff defeat to the Indiana Pacers, his team confirmed on Monday.

Lillard, who had only recently returned to play after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf in March, was injured in the first quarter of the Bucks’ 129-103 Game 4 loss on Sunday.

Lillard, the former Portland Trail Blazers superstar, planted with his left foot to make a move toward a loose ball, batted the ball to a teammate and then immediately fell to the floor and grabbed his left lower leg.

Bucks staff helped Lillard into the locker room.

“They’re going to do an image tomorrow,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the game. “Obviously, his lower leg. And just being honest, it’s not very promising.”

The Bucks eventually announced that Lillard will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.

“Damian Lillard underwent an MRI today that revealed a torn left Achilles tendon,” the Bucks said in a statement.

“Lillard will miss the remainder of the 2025 playoffs and undergo surgery to repair the injury.”

The injury is a devastating blow to Milwaukee’s hopes of establishing themselves as championship contenders behind Lillard’s partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lillard, 34, joined Milwaukee in 2023 after an 11-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Speaking after Lillard’s injury on Sunday, a downcast Antetokounmpo said he backed Lillard to return from his latest injury blow.

“A lot of people don’t see what Dame had to deal with, but I’ve been around him every single day and it’s hard,” Antetokounmpo said.

“It’s hard being in his position, but he’s one of the toughest, mentally toughest guys I’ve ever been around and that’s why he is who he is, and I think he’s going to overcome every obstacle that’s going to be in front of him.”

“Everybody’s going to be there for him. No matter what the obstacle is for him, he’s going to overcome it and we’re going to help him overcome it.”

Milwaukee trails Indiana, 3-1, in their best-of-seven playoff series. The Pacers can clinch the series with victory in Game 5 on Tuesday.

An athlete can be out six to 12 months after tearing an Achilles tendon.

In 2019, Golden State forward Kevin Durant injured his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and missed the following season.

In November 2020, Golden State guard Klay Thompson, recovering from missing the prior season with a torn ACL, tore his Achilles during a workout and missed the entire 2020-21 season.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups injured his Achilles in February 2012 at age 35, while playing for the LA Clippers.

Billups returned to play nine months later in November 2012. He played just 41 more games over two seasons before retiring.