On Tuesday night, ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped his latest bombshell news, with Bucks star Damian Lillard reportedly out indefinitely due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. The injury is essentially a blood clot in his calf, which is the same scary condition that is sidelining Victor Wembanyama for the rest of the year. Due to the nature of this injury, the most important thing is for Lillard to ensure his health is cared for beyond his basketball career. However, the news does have implications for New York, as Milwaukee is a potential first-round opponent.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue with regular testing. He is out indefinite period. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
Damian Lillard News Gives Knicks More Reason to Fall to 4th
This news is such a gut-punch to the entire Milwaukee Bucks organization, who will now lose their championship hopes to injury for the fourth consecutive year after winning the championship in 2021. It’s also extremely sad for Lillard, who was playing at a superstar level again but is nearing his 35th birthday. No one knows how this will affect the rest of his career or even when he’ll return to the floor.
For the Knicks, however, their path through the East just got a bit easier. With that said, they may only be able to capitalize on the Bucks’ misfortune if they’re able to fall to the fourth seed. While Detroit is tied for the fifth slot with Milwaukee, the Bucks have one fewer loss and a much easier schedule. Milwaukee has the 20th-hardest remaining schedule (.473 opponent’s win percentage), while the Pistons have the second most difficult (.602).
With Giannis Antetokounmpo again quietly playing at a legendary level, the Bucks have a leg up for the fifth seed despite Lillard’s absence. Indiana is the team New York wants to avoid because of their depth and pace. There’s now little chance that Indiana would slip below fourth with their recent hot streak. So, if the Knicks fall behind Indiana for that fourth seed, they will either play Milwaukee or Detroit in the first round. I believe Tom Thibodeau’s squad would be happy with both of those opponents.
NY’s Path to the Conference Finals is Easier From 4th
Unless Boston (5 GB) can catch Cleveland for the one seed with 10 games left, the easier path to the Conference Finals is from the fourth seed. New York should prefer playing the Cavaliers rather than the Celtics in the second round for many reasons. They match up better with the Cavs, do not match up well at all with Boston, and have had postseason success before against this Cleveland core. Boston is also a proven champion who won’t wilt under playoff pressure.
Falling to fourth also creates a small chance that another team will beat Boston before the Conference Finals. It’s unlikely, but just boosts the odds that New York somehow finds their way out of the East despite being the clear third-best squad. I also like their chances to beat the Celtics after winning a series against Cleveland and boosting their confidence. This is a team that needs proof that they can beat elite teams, and prevailing against the Cavaliers would do just that.
To put it simply, the Knicks have a much better shot at winning the conference from the fourth seed than the third. They’ll possibly have an easier first-round matchup, definitely an easier second-round matchup, and a better chance to win the East.
It’s Legitimately Possible to Fall Behind Indiana
With 11 games left, the Pacers are just three games back of the Knicks for that third spot. New York does have the tiebreaker with the head-to-head record, so Indiana has to make up four games with 11 to play. It’s somewhat unlikely, but without Jalen Brunson for at least a few more outings, NY should struggle to find wins, especially with the seventh-hardest remaining schedule. Indiana has the 15th-hardest schedule and is one of the hottest teams in basketball. Obviously, the Knicks won’t purposely lose games for seeding, and they shouldn’t do so. However, there is a small, but real chance New York could end up in the fourth slot.
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