The Boston Celtics are back on track in the first round of the 2024-25 NBA playoffs. After Friday's disappointing road loss, the Celtics rebounded with a 107-98 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 4 on Sunday, giving Joe Mazzulla's team a chance to advance when it hosts Game 5 at TD Garden on Tuesday.
It's safe to say the Celtics' NBA Championship odds look more promising than they did to begin the weekend. With that in mind, Boston's title aspirations just received another big boost following the latest injury news stemming from the Eastern Conference.
Celtics News: Bucks Confirm Damian Lillard's Torn Achilles
The Milwaukee Bucks — one of the Celtics' biggest Eastern threats — were dealt a huge scare during Sunday's Game 4 showdown with the Indiana Pacers. Superstar point guard Damian Lillard was forced to leave the game after six minutes with a leg-related injury, leaving many to fear that he had potentially torn his Achilles.
Fast forward less than 24 hours later when the worst has officially been confirmed.
"Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon," NBA insider Shams Charania wrote with confirmation from ESPN sources. "MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season."
Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season. pic.twitter.com/ysZ0nw8gxW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 28, 2025
It's been a rough postseason for Lillard and the Bucks, and his torn Achilles is just the latest devastating blow. After all, the nine-time NBA All-Star playmaker's injury comes less than a week after he returned to action following his recovery from a blood clot in his calf that held him out of the final 14 regular-season games, as well as Game 1.
Unfortunately, Lillard wasn't exactly producing upon his return from injury. Ignoring his limited time playing in Game 4, the former Weber State product only averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 assists while shooting 24.0% from the floor and 18.8% from deep in Games 2 and 3, indicating that he was clearly dealing with some rest before tearing his Achilles.
With Lillard potentially out until early in the 2025-26 campaign, it's safe to say the Bucks' postseason run is over. They're already down 3-1 to the Pacers, and being without their top backcourt option will only make a comeback attempt that much harder to pull off.
As sad as it is to see a player like Lillard hurt, his injury likely benefits the Celtics in the long term. The Bucks were a potential opponent if the C's reach the Eastern Conference Finals, however, that likely isn't a threat anymore unless Giannis Antetokounmpo finds a way to single-handedly carry his team on a deep run.
As the basketball world continues to react to Lillard's injury, the Celtics will continue the opening round with the second-best 2025 NBA Finals odds (+200) on FanDuel Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the Bucks have fallen to the fourth-worst odds (+100000) among active teams.
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Odds update periodically and are subject to change.