Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear

INDIANAPOLIS - Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has a strained right Achilles tendon, sources confirmed to ESPN, putting his availability for Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Indian Pacers in jeopardy.

Lillard was wearing a walking boot following the team's film session on Saturday afternoon after agitating the injury near the end of the fourth quarter in Game 3 on Friday night. Lillard was grabbing at his leg after a foul on Aaron Nesmith with 6.2 seconds remaining in regulation. He stayed on the floor as Game 3 went into overtime, but he went scoreless and did not attempt a shot.

Lillard's Achilles has been bothering him for a few weeks. He revealed he had been feeling some discomfort following Milwaukee's regular-season finale in Orlando and then sat out the first few days of practice before the start of the playoffs in order to recover, a break Lillard said helped him feel fresh entering the series.

After he agitated the injury near the end of the fourth quarter, his coach Doc Rivers said Lillard served mostly as a decoy during overtime.

The Athletic was first to report the extent of Lillard's injury.

The Bucks trail the Pacers 2-1 in the series. Game 4 is on Sunday night. The Bucks are now facing the prospects of trying to overcome the series deficit without Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has not played in this series with a calf strain.

Antetokounmpo took a scheduled off-day on Saturday, but Rivers said Antetokounmpo expects to be on the court again on Sunday morning ahead of Game 4.

"He's working out [Sunday], going to go hard, early and then we're going to make a decision," Rivers said Saturday afternoon.

Could Antetokounmpo workout in the morning and feel good enough to play in Game 4?

"I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we'll see"

Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear

Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear

Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear

Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear

Bucks' Lillard has Achilles strain, status unclear