"He can't run on the floor or run on a court" - Lou Williams comments on Damian Lillard's status before do-or-die Game 5 for the Bucks
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Lou Williams is a well-respected guard who played 17 seasons in the NBA. He knows the ins and outs of what happens inside the locker rooms, especially regarding injuries and the recovery process. And speaking from experience, he doesn’t believe the Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard will be playing anytime soon after re-aggravating an Achilles tendon injury.
The three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner shared his opinion regarding the matter, saying that “Dame Dolla” is still running underwater, which says a lot about the state of his Achilles tendon.
Can’t even run on the floor
Underwater running is a recovery method that reduces the impact on joints and muscles while allowing cardio exercise. It is often used by athletes recovering from injuries, as it puts less stress on the body. LouWill said if Lillard is still at this step of the recovery process after missing Game Four, it means he’s far from ready to run on the floor and keep in step with the hungry Indiana Pacers.
“If you’re dealing with underwater running right now, that means you’re trying to run without putting pressure on that tendon, which is not good, right? So if he can’t run on the floor or run on a court, and this game is a day out, they’re in serious trouble,” LouWill said of Lillard and the Bucks, who face a 3-1 deficit and the potential close-out Game Five on Tuesday.
Lillard re-aggravated his Achilles injury in Game Three’s 121-118 overtime loss. He then missed Game Four, which was another Bucks loss, pushing them to the brink of elimination.
If “Sweet Lou” were to hazard a guess, he says the Bucks faithful must not hold their breath regarding an appearance by Lillard in Game Five.
“We probably won’t see Dame in the next game. If you’re underwater running, that’s not something you do when you’re a day or two out. That’s something you do when you’re a month or two out,” Williams said, stressing the seriousness of Lillard’s injury.
A huge risk
Although Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed a firm stance that they wouldn’t shut Lillard down despite his injury, NBA insider Shams Charania highlighted the risk for the Milwaukee franchise in playing Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo when they are not at full strength.
“There is obviously pessimism and some doubt over their status going into Game Five, especially given you’re down 3-1 and the fact that Damian Lillard has dealt with this significant soreness in that Achilles, re-aggravated that injury multiple times,” Shams asserted. “And you’re risking something if these guys are coming back, not 100%. And the last thing you want to do for the Bucks is lose one of them for next season.”
Should neither Lillard nor Giannis suits up in Game Five, the bulk of the offensive load would again be on the shoulders of veterans Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Middleton played 40 minutes in Game Four and had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Meanwhile, Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting.