Indianapolis - Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers learned the words of 10-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.

So when Rivers spoke to the injured 34-year-old star guard on Tuesday, he heard Lillard’s reaction to the torn left-following tendon, he knocked him out of this year’s first-round playoff series, his first-round playoff against Indiana.

"He said two things, I like it," Rivers said. "The first one, he just said, 'I can't believe I'm here.' Then, the second one is "I won't go out like that." I can guarantee he won't, that's what I mean by my determination."

Lillard suffered contactless injuries Sunday night in Game 4 of the Bucks Series against Indiana. Midway through the first quarter, he was behind the 3-point line at the top of the keys as the ball bounced towards him. Lillard used his left hand to push the ball towards teammate Gary Trent Jr.

As the game continued and needed help, he still sat down - both getting up and leaving the court. Milwaukee lost a 129-103 game, putting the Bucks in a 3-1 deficit and exited the first round of the third consecutive round. The series resumed Tuesday night in Indianapolis.

Lillard's absence was a huge blow, especially after being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right leg, which is difficult to return for seven all-NBA trials, and the disease usually takes months to recover, not weeks.

Then in his third game, Lillard was injured again. This injury could take him away from most of next season and potentially end with two MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In two seasons with teammates, Tsing has played in just three playoff games.

But Lillard is determined to come back soon.

"It's amazing," Rivers said. "He's already talking about his return, getting better and getting ready. We've also had a long discussion on this today."

Lillard doesn't seem like his usual explosive self in any of his three games against the Pacers. In those games, he averaged 7.0 points, 4.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds, while last year's 4-2 season lost to the Pacers, 31.3 points, 18.3 points and 9.3 assists, he averaged in four regular season games against Indiana this season.

He ranks tenth in the NBA with scores (24.9) and assists (7.1) this season.

After Sunday's game, the Pacers players who were doing verbally with Lillard in the first three games of the series also gave Lillard their best matches.

Rivers chose to inspire his starting lineup Tuesday by inserting guards AJ Green and Kevin Porter Jr. and forward Bobby Portis. Trent also returned to the start of the lineup.

Lillard's latest absence is the latest chapter in some of the Bucks' bad playoff luck since winning the 2021 championship.

A knee injury left Khris Middleton losing in the entire seven Eastern League semifinals in 2022. Antetokounmpo missed all six Indiana games in 2024 due to tight calfs.