Things may be going from bad to worse for the slumping Milwaukee Bucks.
Star point guard Damian Lillard entered concussion protocol and was ruled out of Tuesday's Emirates NBA Cup opener against the Toronto Raptors, the team announced on Monday.
Lillard, 34, has played in all 10 Bucks games this season, averaging 26 points and 6.6 assists per contest while shooting 35 per cent from three-point range.
However, the Bucks sit 14th in the Eastern Conference at 2-8 — ahead of only the 2-9 Raptors. Milwaukee is sporting the 19th-ranked offence and 22nd-ranked defence thus far, losing back-to-back contests entering Tuesday.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Lillard took a hit to the head towards the end of the third quarter of the Bucks loss to the Celtics on Sunday, and was experiencing dizziness and headaches throughout Monday.
According to Haynes, there is a chance Lillard gets cleared for Milwaukee's game against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, the second night of a back-to-back.
The eight-time All-Star Lillard was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a blockbuster trade ahead of last season. But the fit hasn't been quite as smooth as expected — the Bucks fell in the first round of the playoffs in April before their current slow start.
Earlier Monday, the Raptors' own starting point guard Immanuel Quickley was listed as questionable for the NBA Cup contest with an elbow sprain. Meanwhile, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and former Raptor Gary Trent Jr. (back) are probable for Milwaukee heading into the matchup.
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